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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/44670-0.txt b/44670-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4443bf9 --- /dev/null +++ b/44670-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4754 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44670 *** + + DOROTHY DIXON + + and the Double Cousin + + BY + + Dorothy Wayne + + Author of + Dorothy Dixon Solves the Conway Case + Dorothy Dixon and The Mystery Plane + Dorothy Dixon Wins Her Wings + + THE GOLDSMITH PUBLISHING COMPANY + CHICAGO + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + Copyright, 1933 + + The Goldsmith Publishing Company + MADE IN U.S.A. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + To + Dorothea Hetty Gutmann + + a New Canaan schoolgirl, who + loves our beautiful Ridge + Country, and whose fox terrier, + Professor, really ate the dictionary! + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + CONTENTS + + I The Encounter 15 + II “Family Affairs” 27 + III The Sleepwalker 39 + IV Meet Flash! 55 + V On Secret Service 67 + VI Who’s Who? 79 + VII Playing a Part 91 + VIII “Walk Into My Parlor” 104 + IX In the Night 116 + X Surprises 127 + XI Gretchen 142 + XII Tests 156 + XIII Winnite 168 + XIV Professor 179 + XV Tea and Orders 199 + XVI Caught in the Act 212 + XVII Professor Makes Good 228 + XVIII The Christmas Spirit 246 + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + DOROTHY DIXON AND THE DOUBLE COUSIN + + Chapter I + + THE ENCOUNTER + + +“Why—good heavens, girl! How in the world did you escape?” + +Dorothy Dixon heard the low, eager whisper at her elbow but disregarded +it. She was intent on selecting a tie from the colorful rack on the +counter before her. She spoke to the clerk: + +“I’ll take this one, and that’ll make four. I hope Daddy will approve my +taste in Christmas presents,” she smiled, and laid a bill on her +purchases. + +“But—please, dear, tell me! Don’t you know I’m worried crazy? Who let +you out?” + +This time Dorothy felt a touch on her arm. She wheeled quickly to face a +tall, slender young fellow of twenty-two or three. As she stared at him, +half indignant, half wondering, she saw sincere distress in his brown +eyes, and in the lines of his pleasant face. Hat in hand, he waited +anxiously for an answer to his question, while the crowd of holiday +shoppers poured through the aisles about them. + +Dorothy’s eyes softened, then danced. “It seems to me,” she said, “that +you have the wires twisted—it’s not I who’ve escaped, but you! Run +along now and find your keeper. You’re evidently in need of one!” + +“Your change and package, miss,” the impersonal voice of the +haberdashery clerk intervened and Dorothy turned back to the counter. + +“But why on earth are you acting this way, Janet?” The strange young man +was at her elbow again. + +Once more Dorothy turned swiftly toward him but when she spoke her eyes +and voice were serious. “Do you really mean to say you think you’re +speaking to Janet Jordan? Because—” + +“My dear—what are you trying to tell me?” He broke in impatiently. “I +certainly ought to know the girl I’m going to marry!” + +Dorothy nodded slowly. “I agree with you—you ought to—but then, you +see, you _don’t_!” + +The young man crushed his soft felt hat in his hands and took a step +nearer to her. “Look here—what _is_ the matter with you? I know you’ve +been through a lot, but—” He broke off abruptly, a gleam of horror and +suspicion in his honest eyes. “Janet! What have they done to you?” + +Dorothy laid a firm hand on his arm. “Sh! Be quiet—listen to me.” Then +she added gently—“I am _not_ Janet Jordan, your fiancee.” + +“You’re not—!” + +“No. My name is Dorothy Dixon—and I’m Janet’s first cousin.” + +The young man seemed flabbergasted for a moment. Then he +stammered—“Wh-why, it’s astounding—the resemblance, I mean! You’re +alike as—as two peas. If you were twins—” + +“But you see,” she smiled, “our mothers, Janet’s and mine, _were_ twins, +and I guess that accounts for it. I’ve never seen Janet, but this is the +third time, just recently, that I’ve been taken for her by her friends, +Mr.—?” + +“My name is Bright,” he supplied. “Howard Bright. Yes, now I can see a +slight difference, Miss Dixon. You’re a bit taller and broader across +the shoulders than she is. But it’s your personalities, more than +anything else, that are altogether unlike. I hope you’ll forgive me, +Miss Dixon, for making a nuisance of myself!” + +“No indeed—that is, of course I will!” Dorothy laughed merrily. “You’re +not a nuisance, you know, but,” and her tone became grave, “I can see +that you’re in trouble. Is there—” she hesitated. + +“Not I, Miss Dixon—that is, not directly. But,” he lowered his voice, +“Janet is—is in very serious trouble. And for a moment, when I saw you, +I thought that in some miraculous way she had escaped.” + +Howard Bright’s face suddenly became almost haggard and Dorothy’s +sympathy and concern for her cousin deepened into resolve. + +“Look here, Mr. Bright,” she said abruptly, “we can’t talk here, in this +shopping crowd, it’s a regular football scrimmage. Let’s go up to the +mezzanine. A friend of mine is waiting there for me now, I’m a little +late as it is, and—” + +“But I can’t bother _you_ with this,” he protested, “and especially—” + +“Oh, come along,” she urged, “Bill is a grand guy when it comes to +getting people out of messes. I insist you tell us all about it. After +all, Janet’s my cousin, you know, and you’ll soon be a member of the +family, won’t you?” + +“There doesn’t seem much hope of that now.” Young Bright’s tone was +despondent. “But Janet certainly does need help, and she needs it +badly—so—” + +Dorothy caught his arm. “I’m going to call you Howard,” she announced +briskly. “So please drop the Miss Dixon. And come on—let’s push our way +over to the elevators.” + +The mezzanine floor of the department store was arranged as a lounge or +waiting room for customers. Comfortable arm chairs and divans invited +tired shoppers to rest. Writing desks and tables strewn with current +magazines gave the place a club-like appearance. + +Dorothy and her newly found acquaintance stepped out of the elevator and +looked about. The place seemed especially quiet after the rush and +bustle on other floors, and was almost deserted, save for two elderly +ladies conversing in low tones near a window, and a young man, who rose +at their approach. + +As the good looking youth moved toward them with the lithe, easy grace +of a trained athlete, Howard Bright saw that he had light brown hair, +and blue eyes snapping with vitality and cheerfulness. + +“Hello, Dorothy!” He greeted her smilingly, “better late than never, if +you don’t mind my saying so. I’d just about figured you were going to +pass up our date.” + +“Sorry, Colonel,” she mocked. “Explanations are in order I guess, but +they can wait. This is Howard Bright, Bill—Howard, Mr. Bolton!” + +The two young men shook hands. + +“Bolton—Dixon?” Howard’s tone was thoughtful. “Why!” he exclaimed +suddenly. “You two are the flyers—the pair who won the endurance test +with the Conway motor! I’m certainly glad to meet you both. The papers +have been full of your doings. Well, this is a surprise! But you know, +I’d got the impression that you were both older—” + +“I’m sixteen,” smiled Dorothy. “Bill has me beat by a year.” + +“How about lunch?” suggested Bill. He invariably changed the subject +when his exploits were mentioned. People always enthused so, it +embarrassed him. “You’ll join us, of course, Mr. Bright?” + +“Thanks, Mr. Bolton. I really don’t think I can butt in this way—” + +“There’s no butting in about it,” Dorothy interrupted. “Howard is +engaged to my cousin, Janet Jordan, Bill. And Janet’s in a lot of +trouble. I’ve promised we’d do everything we can to help.” + +Bill, after one look at Howard’s worried face, sized up the situation +instantly. “Why, of course,” he said. “And we can’t talk with any +privacy in this place. I can see that whatever the trouble is, it’s +serious.” + +“Janet’s in desperate peril,” Howard said huskily. + +“You said something about her escape when we met,” Dorothy reminded him. +“Has somebody kidnapped her? Have you any idea where she is?” + +“Yes, she’s a prisoner. A prisoner in the Jordans’ apartment on West +93rd Street.” + +“Then her father is away?” + +“No. He leaves tonight, I believe.” + +“But, my goodness!—a girl can’t be kidnapped and made a prisoner in her +own home. Especially if her father is there. It doesn’t sound possible.” + +“I know it doesn’t,” admitted Howard desperately, “it sounds crazy. But +it’s the truth, just the same. She’s in frightful danger.” + +Dorothy looked horrified. “You mean that my uncle and Janet don’t get on +together—that they’ve had a row and you’re afraid he will harm her?” + +“Oh, no, they’re very fond of each other.” + +“Then Uncle Michael is a prisoner, too!” + +“No, he is free enough himself, but he can do nothing—it would only +make matters worse.” + +“Well!” declared Dorothy, “I don’t think much of Uncle Michael if he +can’t protect his own daughter.” + +Bill stepped into the breach. + +“What about the police—can’t you call them in?” + +Howard Bright shook his head. “They would only bring this horrible +business to a climax,” he explained. “And that is exactly what must not +be done. It is more a matter for Secret Service investigation—but I +don’t think that even they could be of any real help.” + +Bill and Dorothy exchanged a quick glance. + +“Have you ever heard of a man named Ashton Sanborn, Mr. Bright?” + +“Yes, I have, Mr. Bolton. Wasn’t he the detective who helped you unearth +that fiendish scheme of old Professor Fanely?”[1] + +“Bull’s eye!” grinned Bill. “Only Ashton Sanborn is quite a lot more +than a mere detective. And it so happens that he is over at the Waldorf +right now, waiting for Dorothy and me to lunch with him. Let me tell +you, Bright, it’s a mighty lucky thing for Janet Jordan that he is in +town. Come along. We’ll hop a taxi and be with him in ten minutes.” + +Howard hung back. “But really—” + +Dorothy caught his arm. “Don’t be silly, now,” she urged. + +“But I can’t call in a detective, Dorothy. I know I’m rotten at +explaining, but if these devils who have Janet in their power are +interfered with they will kill her out of hand!” + +“But you spoke of the Secret Service just now. This is not for +publication, but Mr. Sanborn is the head of that branch of the +government. If anyone _can_ help Janet, he can do it.” + +“I doubt it. I admit I’m half crazy with worry, but Janet is going to be +removed from the apartment tonight, and heaven only knows what will +happen then. It takes days, generally weeks, to get the government +started on anything.” + +“Not Sanborn’s branch of it,” interrupted Bill. “We’re talking in +circles, Bright. If Sanborn can’t help Janet, he’ll tell you so. At +least you can give him the dope and find out. He’s an expert and you’ll +get expert advice.” + +“All right, I’ll go with you. But I’m afraid it won’t do any good. +Please don’t think, though, that I’m not appreciating the interest +you’re taking. I don’t mean to be a wet blanket.” + +“Of course you don’t, and you’re not.” Dorothy led toward the staircase. +“You’ll feel a whole lot better when you get the story off your chest.” + +“And when you’ve got outside a good substantial lunch,” added Bill. “I +know I shall, anyway.” + +“That,” said Dorothy, “is just like a boy. I believe you’d eat a good +meal, Bill, an hour before you were hung, if it were offered to you.” + +“I’d be hanged if I didn’t,” he laughed and followed her down the steps +onto the main floor. + +----- + +Footnote 1: + + See Bill Bolton and The Winged Cartwheels. + + + + + Chapter II + + “FAMILY AFFAIRS” + + +“Just—one—moment, please!” Ashton Sanborn’s keen blue eyes twinkled as +he surveyed his young guests. His heavy-set body moved with a muscular +grace as he placed a chair for Dorothy and motioned the two boys to +seats on a divan nearby. “Now then, Dorothy and Bill—I want you two +chatterboxes to keep quiet while I ask Mr. Bright some questions and get +this matter straight in my own head. Your turn to talk will come later.” +His quizzical smile robbed the words of any harshness, and the culprits +grinned and nodded their willingness to comply with his request. + +“Mr. Bright,” he went on, “if you’ll just answer my questions for the +present, I’ll get you to tell the story from the beginning in a few +minutes.” + +“It’s mighty decent of you to take all this interest, Mr. Sanborn.” + +The Secret Service Man shook his prematurely grey head—“It’s my +business to ferret things out. Now, as I understand it, you mistook +Dorothy for her cousin, Miss Jordan, to whom you are engaged. The +likeness must be amazing?” + +“It is, sir.” + +“Yes—well, we’ll get back to the likeness after a while. You say that +Miss Jordan is a prisoner in her father’s apartment, and is in danger of +her life?” + +“Yes, sir.” Howard, tense and taut as a fiddle string, his hands +gripping the edge of the cushioned couch, gazed steadily back at his +questioner. + +“Do you know for certain that she is in actual danger at the present +moment, Bright?” Ashton Sanborn’s quiet tone and unhurried manner of +speaking was gradually gaining the young man’s confidence. Bill and +Dorothy noticed that Howard’s strained look was beginning to disappear, +and he had started to relax. + +“She has been in great danger,” he replied, “but now, they’ve decided to +test her. There isn’t a chance, though, that she will pass the test, Mr. +Sanborn. The poor girl is so worn out and nervous she’s bound to fail.” + +“Do you know what time she is to be taken away from the apartment?” + +“Yes, sir. Lawson told her to pack her clothes today, so as to be ready +to leave at midnight.” + +“Mmm!” Sanborn glanced at his watch. “It is now one-thirty. That gives +us exactly eleven and a half hours in which to get her out of their +hands. Now just one question more, Mr. Bright. What made you say that +this is a matter in which the so-called Secret Service of the United +States should be called in, rather than the police?” + +“Well,” Howard’s brows knit in a puzzled frown, “you see, Janet is being +taken to Dr. Tyson Winn’s house near Ridgefield, Connecticut, tonight. +As I understand it, Dr. Winn has a big laboratory up there where he is +experimenting on high explosives for the government. Lawson, the man who +told Janet she was to go there, is Dr. Winn’s secretary. It all looks so +queer to me—I thought—” + +“That _is_ interesting!” Ashton Sanborn’s tone was serious and for a +little while he seemed lost in thought. Then abruptly he looked up from +an inspection of his finger tips, and rose from his chair. “I ordered +lunch for three before you young people arrived,” he said with a return +of his cheerful, hearty way of speaking. “Now I’ll phone down and have +lunch for four served up here instead.” He looked at Dorothy. “By the +way, the menu calls for oyster cocktails, sweetbreads on grilled +mushrooms, O’Brien potatoes, alligator pear salad, and cafe parfait—any +suggestions?” + +“Oh, aren’t you a dear!” Dorothy, who had been using a miniature powder +puff on her nose, snapped shut the cover of her compact. “You have +ordered all the things I like best. No wonder you’re a great +detective—you never forget a single thing, no matter what it is.” + +Sanborn laughed. “Thanks for the compliment—but those dishes happen to +be favorites of my own, too. Now get that brain of yours working, +Dorothy. When I’ve finished with the head waiter, I want you to tell us +all you know about your uncle and cousin. Before we can go further I +must have every possible detail of the case at my fingers’ ends.” + +He took up a phone from a small table near the window, and Dorothy +turned toward Howard. + +“You probably know more about the Jordans than I do,” she said. “I have +a picture of Janet that she sent me a couple of years ago. We always +exchange presents at Christmas—but we’ve never seen each other.” + +“I really know very little about the Jordans, myself,” protested Howard. +“You see, Janet and I saw each other for the first time just five weeks +ago. It was on a Sunday afternoon, I’d been taking a walk in Central +Park, when one of those equinoctial downpours came on very suddenly. +Janet was right ahead of me, so naturally, I offered her my umbrella. +She’s—well, rather shy and retiring, and at first she wasn’t so keen on +accepting—” + +“So there _is_ a difference between the cousins!” Bill winked at Howard. +“If it had been Dorothy, she’d have taken your overcoat and rubbers as +well. Nothing shy or retiring about Janet’s double!” + +“Is that so, Mr. Smarty! It’s a good thing Howard met her that rainy +Sunday. If it had been you, Bill, the poor girl would certainly have got +a soaking!” + +“You mean she wouldn’t have accepted my umbrella?” + +“I _mean_ you never would have offered it!” + +“You win—one up, Dorothy,” said Ashton Sanborn when the laughter at +this sally had subsided. “What happened after you and Janet got under +your umbrella, Bright?” + +“Oh, nothing much. We walked over to Central Park West but there were no +taxis to be had for love or money. So then I suggested taking her home +and we found we lived in the same apartment house. I asked if I might +call, but she said that was impossible—that Mr. Jordan permitted no +callers.” + +“Well,” said Dorothy, “that didn’t seem to stop you. I mean you are a +pretty fast worker, Howard, to get engaged with a tyrant father guarding +the doorstep and all that.” + +“Cut it out, Dot,” broke in Bill, who had been waiting patiently for a +chance to get even. “You can’t be in the center of the stage all the +time, and your remarks are out of order, anyway.” + +“I’ll dot you one, if you take my name in vain, young man!” + +“Silence, woman! Go ahead, Howard, and speak your piece, or she’ll jump +in with both feet next time.” + +Dorothy said nothing but the glance she shot Bill Bolton was a promise +of dire things to come. + +“Oh, I don’t mind,” grinned Howard, and Dorothy immediately put him down +as a good sport. “Well, to go on with it—we used to meet in the lobby, +go for walks and bus rides, sometimes to the movies or a matinee. Two +weeks ago, Janet, who is just eighteen, by the way, said she would marry +me. She seemed to have no friends in New York. I’ve seen her father, but +never met him. Except for this horrible business, which came up a few +days ago, all that I know about Janet is that her mother died when she +was five, her father parked her at a boarding-school near Chicago, and +she stayed there until last June when she graduated. Her summer holidays +were spent at a girls’ camp in Wisconsin. She was never allowed to visit +the homes of the other girls, so Christmas and Easter holidays she +stayed in the school. During her entire schooling, she saw her father +only five times. Last summer he took her abroad with him. They travelled +in Germany and in Russia, I believe.” + +“Gosh, what a life for a girl!” exploded Bill. + +“I should say so!” Dorothy made no attempt to hide her disgust. “The +more I hear about Uncle Michael, the less I care about him.” + +“Tell us what you do know about him,” prompted Sanborn. “I want to get +all the background possible before Bright explains the girl’s present +predicament. I know a good deal about Dr. Winn and his secretary. If +those men are threatening her, there must be something very serious +brewing. Go ahead, Dorothy—luncheon will be up here any minute, now.” + +“All right, but I warn you it isn’t much. My mother, who as you know +died when I was a little girl, had one sister, my Aunt Edith, who was +her twin. They looked so much alike that their own father and mother had +trouble in telling them apart. Aunt Edith fell in love with a young +Irishman named Michael Jordan, whom she met at a dance. He seemed +prosperous, and my grandfather gave his consent to their engagement. +Then he learned that Michael Jordan made his money by selling arms and +ammunition to South and Central American revolutionists. Grandpa, from +all accounts, hit the ceiling. He was a deacon of the church, very +sedate and all that, and he said he wouldn’t allow his daughter to marry +a gun-runner. And that was that. To make a long story short, Aunt Edith +ran away with Michael Jordan. They were married in New York, sent +Grandpa a copy of the marriage certificate, and then sailed for South +America. For several years there was no word from them at all. My +mother, whose name was Janet, by the way, loved Aunt Edith as only a +twin can love the other. But she couldn’t write to her because the +eloping couple had left no address. Six years later, mother had a letter +from Uncle Michael. He was in Chicago then, and he wrote that Aunt Edith +had died, and that he had placed little Janet at the Pence School in +Evanston. Mother and Daddy went right out to Chicago, to see Uncle +Michael. They tried to get him to let them take Janet home with them, +and bring her up with me. I was only three at the time, so naturally I +don’t remember anything about it. But what I’m telling you Daddy told to +me years later. Well, their trip to Chicago was all for nothing—Uncle +Michael refused to let them have Janet. It almost broke my mother’s +heart. Well, and that is the reason Janet and I have always given each +other presents at Christmas and on our birthdays, although we’ve never +even met. Two years ago, she sent me her photograph, and both Daddy and +I were astounded to see the resemblance to me. Twice, since then, I’ve +been taken for Janet by girls who were at school with her at Evanston. +Perhaps, if we were seen together, you’d be able to tell us apart—I +don’t know.” + +“I do, though,” declared Howard, “you may be slightly broader across the +shoulders, Dorothy, but otherwise you might be Janet, sitting there. +You’ve the same brown hair, grey eyes, your features are alike—” + +“How about our voices?” + +“Exactly the same. You have a more forceful way of speaking, that’s all. +I keep wanting to call you ‘Janet’ all the time.” Howard turned his head +away, and Dorothy could see the emotion that again overtook him as he +thought of his helpless little fiancee, a prisoner in the hands of +unscrupulous men. + +She glanced at Bill, and shook her head in sympathy. Just then there +came a knock on the sitting room door. + +“Ah! lunch at last!” Ashton Sanborn rose and put his hand on Howard’s +shoulder. “Come, no more of this now. The subject of the double cousins +is taboo until we’ve all done justice to this excellent meal!” + + + + + Chapter III + + THE SLEEPWALKER + + +“Mr. Sanborn,” said Dorothy, “when you’re tired of fathoming mysteries +for people, come out to New Canaan and help me order meals. That was the +most scrumptious lunch I’ve had in a month of Sundays.” She dropped a +lump of sugar in her demitasse and threw her host a bright smile across +the table. + +“Thank you, my dear,” the detective smiled back. “I may take you up on +that one of these days. But speaking of mysteries reminds me that now +the waiter is gone, it’s high time we busied ourselves again with the +affairs of Janet Jordan. Now that I understand something of the young +lady’s background and her family, I want to hear all there is to tell +about her present position.” He pulled a briar pipe and tobacco pouch +out of his pocket and commenced to fill the one with the contents of the +other. “All ready, Howard. Start at the beginning and don’t skimp on +details—they may be and they generally are important.” + +“Very well, sir. I’ll begin with a week ago today.” Howard pushed his +chair away from the table, thrust his hands into trouser pockets and +jumped into his story. “Janet had a date to meet me last Thursday at +two p. m. at the Strand. We intended to take in a movie—but she never +showed up.” + +“Then you aren’t a business man—?” This from the detective. + +“Oh, but I am—a mining engineer, Mr. Sanborn. With the Tuthill +Corporation. But I am free on Thursday afternoons, instead of Saturday. +It is more convenient for the office staff.” + +“Hasn’t your concern large mining concessions in Peru?” + +“It has, sir—silver mines. To make matters worse—but no—I’ll tell it +this way. I particularly wanted to meet Janet last Thursday, because I +had been told the day before by the head of our New York office that I +was to be transferred to Lima, Peru. The boat that I’m scheduled to sail +on, leaves this coming Saturday. I was fearfully pepped up about it. I’m +going down there as assistant manager of our Lima office, the job +carries a considerable increase in salary, and, if I make good, a fine +future with the firm. My plan was to get Janet to marry me, with or +without her father’s consent, and to take her to Lima with me. I +couldn’t bear to think of leaving her to the kind of existence she’d had +before I’d known her—and with no way of correspondence—Well, I waited +for over an hour in the lobby of the theatre but she didn’t come. At +last I went up to my apartment.” + +“Why didn’t you phone her?” asked Dorothy, who was nothing if not +direct. + +“Because Janet had asked me never to do that. She said if her father +knew she had a boy friend, he’d pack her off somewhere, and we’d never +be able to meet again.” + +“Nice papa—I don’t think!” observed Bill Bolton. + +“No comments now, please,” said Sanborn. “Go on, Howard. If you couldn’t +talk to Janet, how did you find out that she was a prisoner?” + +Howard smiled. “But we _were_ able to talk to each other, Mr. Sanborn. +About the time we became engaged, I fixed that. My small flat is on the +ninth floor of the building, the Jordans’ on the seventh. My three rooms +have windows on an air shaft. The Jordans’ back bedroom and bath +overlook the same airshaft and are directly opposite my sitting room, +two flights below. The shaft is only twenty feet wide, so I bought one +of those headphone sets that are used in airplanes for conversation +between the cockpits of a plane while it is being flown. I lengthened +the wires of course, and got a long, collapsible pole. After dark, Janet +would come to her window, I’d pass her headphone set down to her, hooked +on to the end of the pole, and we would hold long conversations across +the court without anybody being the wiser. When we were through talking, +I’d pass the pole over to her and draw it back when she’d attached her +headset.” + +“By Jingoes!” cried Bill. “I’ll say that’s clever!” + +“It sure is, Howard!” Dorothy was quite as enthusiastic. “You certainly +deserve to get Janet after that.” + +Howard shook his head. “We’ll have to do something really clever to get +her away from the bunch who are holding her prisoner. Well,—as I say, +when I got to my flat, I sat down by my sitting room window, and +pretended to read a book. In reality, of course, I was watching Janet’s +window. Presently she appeared. Even at that distance, I could see that +she had been crying. She held up a slate, for we never dared to use the +headphones in the day time, and slates are a good medium for short +messages. On it she had written, ‘_After dark._’ Well, that was one of +the longest afternoons I’d ever put in. About five-thirty, she came back +to her window and I passed over the headgear. When I heard her story, I +went half crazy, and I guess I’ve been pretty much that way ever since. + +“You see, Mr. Sanborn, Janet has told me that occasionally she walks in +her sleep, especially when she isn’t feeling very well. The evening +before, that was a week ago Wednesday night, she had a headache and went +to bed early. When she awoke, she was terrified to find herself seated +on the floor of their living room, behind a large Chinese screen. There +seemed to be seven or eight men in the room, including her father. Of +course, she could not see them, but she could hear every word they said. +By the clock on the wall above her head, she saw that it was one in the +morning. She soon realized that this was a meeting of the heads of some +large society or organization and that these men had come there from all +parts of the world. There was an air of mystery about them and their +talk. No names were mentioned but they addressed each other by number. +Mr. Jordan was Number 5; Number 2, who spoke with a foreign accent, was +evidently conducting the meeting, in place of the absent Number 1, whom +they all seemed to hold in great awe. Janet realized that she must have +entered the room before the meeting started, while she was still asleep. +She saw that so long as the meeting lasted, there would be no way of +escape. Gradually she became terrified at her predicament, and—” + +“Just a moment,” interrupted Ashton Sanborn. “Has Janet ever told you +anything of her father’s business?” + +“She really knows nothing about it, Mr. Sanborn. I asked her myself some +time ago, and she said then, except that he seemed to travel a lot, she +hadn’t the slightest idea what he did for a living. Once when she asked +him outright what is was, Mr. Jordan flew into a rage. He said it was +his own affair, and that so long as it brought them in enough money to +live comfortably, he did not wish her to bring up the matter again. The +one thing she does know is that he doesn’t go regularly to an office. +Men frequently come to see him at the apartment, but their conversations +are invariably held behind locked doors.” + +“I see. Go on now, with Janet and the meeting.” + +“Well, sir, as I’ve said, she was behind that screen, listening to what +the men said—and in fact, she couldn’t help listening. Not that she +understood much of what they were saying. Number 2 made a long speech +and the gist of it was that now they were agreed upon the use of Formula +X, the demonstration (whatever that was) must be made in their +respective sectors at the same time on the same day. He also proposed +that Number 5 (Janet’s father) interview Number 1 and learn from him +when the demonstrations should be made. This motion was carried +unanimously. Then Number 3 asked the chairman if they could not in +future hold their meeting in some safer place than the Jordans’ +apartment. ‘For all we know,’ he said, ‘someone may be secreted behind +that screen!’ Mr. Jordan laughed at this, and told Number 3 to close up +the screen if it made him nervous. So the first thing Janet knew, the +screen was dragged aside and she was staring into the face of a +Chinaman. Seated in a circle behind him were the others, her father +among them.” + +“Gosh!” exclaimed Dorothy. “I’ll bet that scared the poor kid silly.” + +“It did,” admitted Howard. “She was absolutely petrified. And then there +was the dickens to pay. All the men started talking at once. The +Chinaman pulled a revolver and pointed it straight at her, yelling that +she had heard their secrets and must be immediately executed!” + +“‘She has heard nothing!’ her father told them. ‘She frequently walks in +her sleep. She was asleep when she wandered in here before the meeting, +and she is sleeping now—look!’ Then he lit a match and held the flame +before Janet’s eyes. ‘You see,’ he said, ‘she doesn’t even blink. Janet +has heard nothing, gentlemen.’” + +“Of course Janet had taken her father’s hint, and followed it. She knew +that he was doing the only thing he could to save her life, so she kept +right on staring in front of her without moving, while the Chinaman held +the automatic within a foot of her head. But the strain she was under +nearly broke her nerve. She knew that the slightest sign on her part +that she was conscious would mean a bullet through her brain. A furious +argument followed. Most of the men—there were eight of them including +Mr. Jordan—wanted her put out of the way at once. But at last, her +father and Number 2, a big man with a long beard who seemed to be more +humane than the rest, prevailed upon them to let him lead her back to +her bed. Her father was forbidden to hold any intercourse with her +whatsoever. She was locked in her bedroom, afraid even to cry, for fear +she would be heard, and not knowing what moment the door would open and +they would drag her to her death.” + +“Horrible!” Mr. Sanborn’s pipe had gone out but he didn’t seem to notice +it. “That experience was enough to unhinge a person’s mind. Janet may be +shy and retiring, but she evidently doesn’t lack grit. By the way, did +she say she recognized any of the men at the meeting?” + +“No. She said that without exception she was sure she’d never seen any +of them before, although they were all on good terms with her father. +Each one seemed to be of a different nationality. One was a black man +who wore a turban—an East Indian, probably. Another, also pretty dark, +wore a red fez. The others were apparently Europeans, but as they all +spoke English together she had no way of guessing what they were. Number +2, the man with the long brown beard, she thought might be a +Scandinavian. She was sure, though, that her father was the only +American or Anglo-Saxon in the group.” + +“Tell us what happened next morning,” proposed Dorothy. Her coffee, now +cold, remained untasted in the cup. + +“I’m getting to that. At eight o’clock her door was unlocked and a +woman, a stranger to her, came into her bedroom with a breakfast tray. +She put the tray on a table and went into the bathroom and turned on the +water for Janet’s bath, then left the room and locked the door after +her. At nine this same woman came back, brought some books and magazines +to her, made up the bed and put the room straight. Whenever Janet spoke +to her, she shook her head and put her finger to her lips. But Janet +said that even now she doesn’t know whether the woman is actually dumb +or only acting under orders. She has brought and taken away her meals +ever since, but she has never been able to get her to speak.” + +“But how did she find out about going to Dr. Winn’s house?” asked Bill +Bolton, who had shown an interest quite as keen as Dorothy’s or +Sanborn’s. + +Howard Bright drank a glass of water. “I’m getting to that part now,” he +explained. “I’m not much of a story teller and I seem to be taking an +awful time to get through this one—but I’m doing my best just the +same.” + +“Of course you are!” Dorothy motioned Bill to keep quiet. “You’re doing +noble, Howard! Pay no attention to that goof over there.” + +“O.K., Dorothy.” Howard replaced his empty glass on the table. “At about +noon of the first day of Janet’s imprisonment in her room, the door was +unlocked and Mr. Lawson came in. She knew him as a friend of her +father’s who had dined with them two or three times. She had always +thought him quite a jolly sort of chap and knew that he was private +secretary to Dr. Winn, the celebrated chemist. Naturally, she felt +rather relieved to see him, and she opened up on him at once. She still +felt that her only hope for life and freedom was to pretend absolute +ignorance of the happenings of the night before. And she managed to keep +up that pretense before Lawson, though what he had to do with the affair +she hadn’t any idea, nor does she yet know where he comes into the +picture. Anyway, he wasn’t at the meeting. She let him know, though, +that she was very indignant and astonished to find herself kept a +prisoner, and demanded to see her father. Lawson, she told me, was most +affable and kind to her. He said that she of course did not realize that +she had been very ill during the night and that she was now under +doctor’s orders. He also told her that her father had been called away +on business, so he had come to her as an old friend of the family, to be +of any help that he could. Janet said that his sympathy almost +undermined her suspicion—she almost confided in him. But luckily, she +didn’t. He has been to see her every day since, and she is now convinced +that his part in this devilish scheme is to gain her confidence, and to +find out whether she actually did hear or see anything at the meeting. +Yesterday he told her that it had been decided she should visit him and +his wife at Dr. Winn’s house while her father is away, and that in order +to occupy her mind, she should act as secretary to Mrs. Lawson, who +assists Dr. Winn in his work.” + +“Maybe they don’t really mean to harm her after all,” said Dorothy +hopefully. + +“Janet is certain,” said Howard, “that they want her at the Doctor’s for +close observation. She took a secretarial course at school, so that part +of it is all right, but I believe with her that one slip, one sign that +she is deceiving them, will mean that she will simply vanish and never +be heard of again. She knows that Lawson lied about one thing: her +father is still living in their flat. She has heard his voice several +times.” + +“But what I can’t understand,” said Dorothy, “is why, just as soon as +you knew all this, you didn’t go to the nearest police station and have +that flat raided!” + +“Because, Janet won’t hear of it.” Howard’s tone was thoroughly +wretched. “I worked out some other plans to release her, but she refuses +to budge.” + +“Is the girl crazy?” This from Bill. + +“No—she’s as sane as any of us—maybe saner. She says that if the +police are called in or I help her to escape, that crew will believe her +father knew all the time that she was faking—as of course he does. And +she says she is sure they will have him killed out of hand, once they +discover that. To make matters worse, if possible, my firm thinks I’m +going to sail for Lima the day after tomorrow! If I turn them down, I’ll +lose my job here and ruin my future. I’ve been hoping against hope that +something would turn up so Janet could sail with me. I certainly shall +not sail without her. I was buying some clothes for the trip when I ran +into you this morning—” Howard’s voice trailed off hopelessly. + +“Gee!” It was evident that Dorothy was not far from tears. “You poor +dears are in an awful fix! I do wish I could help you. Do +_something_—so that you two could get married and sail for Peru!” + +“Perhaps you can.” Ashton Sanborn knocked the ashes from his pipe into +an ash tray. + +“_How?_” shouted three voices simultaneously. + + + + + Chapter IV + + MEET FLASH! + + +“Dorothy, have you ever done anything in the way of amateur +theatricals?” Ashton Sanborn stroked the bowl of his pipe reflectively. + +“Why—er—yes, a little.” She looked a bit bewildered. “I’ve been in the +Silvermine Sillies for the past two years.” + +Sanborn nodded. “How is it you’re out of school on a Thursday?” The +question seemed irrelevant. He was leaning back in his chair now, +surveying the ceiling rather absently, but there was nothing +lackadaisical about his crisp tones. + +“Christmas holidays. Why?” + +“Because, if you’re willing, I may want you to work for me for a few +days. I suppose I can reach your father by telephone at the New Canaan +bank?” + +“No, you can’t—Daddy is down in Florida on a fishing trip. He’s on Mr. +Bolton’s yacht, somewhere off the coast. They won’t be back until +Christmas Eve.” + +“That,” said the Secret Service man, “complicates matters. Who, may I +ask, is looking after Miss Dixon while Mr. Dixon is away?” + +“I’m looking after my own sweet self, sir.” Dorothy grinned roguishly. + +“Then who is to take the responsibility for your actions, young lady?” + +“Why, you may—if you want to!” + +For a moment or two the detective studied her thoughtfully. There was a +certain assurance about this girl’s manner, a steely quality that came +sometimes into her grey eyes, an indefinable air of strength and quiet +courage— + +“Do you think you could impersonate your cousin, Dorothy?” + +“Why—of course!” Dorothy showed her surprise. “We look exactly alike. +Didn’t Howard take me for Janet?” + +“He did—but from what he has told us about her, your natures are +entirely different. Janet, from all accounts, is a rather meek and +demure young lady. Remember, that in order to convince anyone who knows +her you would have to submerge your own personality in hers. And nobody +would ever describe _you_ as a meek, demure young lady!” + +“An untamed wildcat—if you ask me,” chuckled Bill. + +“Why, thanks a lot, William!” Dorothy’s hearers were abruptly aware of +the changed quality of her voice as she continued to speak in melting +tones of pained acceptance. “But nobody _did_ ask you, darling, so in +future when your betters are conversing, be good enough to button up +that lip of yours!” She finished her withering tirade in the same quiet +tones and with a positively shrinking demeanor that sent the others into +shouts of laughter. + +“Say, you’re Janet to a T!” cried Howard. “Her voice is always like that +if I happen to hurt her feelings.” + +“How about her hair, Howard? Is it long or short?” + +“Oh, she wears it bobbed like yours.” + +“I suppose,” Dorothy said to Mr. Sanborn, “that you want to smuggle me +into the flat and have me change places with her?” + +“That’s the idea exactly,” admitted the detective. “And I don’t want you +to make your decision until I explain my plan in detail—or, rather, the +necessity for the risk you will be taking.” + +“Shoot—” said Miss Dixon, “but I can tell you right now, risk or no +risk, I’m going through with it. Janet, after all she’s been through and +from what Howard has told us, is bound to flop once she gets to Dr. +Winn’s. Nervous, and probably high strung, the chances are against her +being able to hold up under the strain.” + +“I think you are right about that. But although Janet is in serious +danger, she could be rescued and her father guarded without bringing you +into the picture, Dorothy, if it were not for one thing. These men who +hold Janet in their custody are in some way mixed up with Dr. Winn, who +has undertaken to make some very important experiments for the United +States government.” + +“I make a bet that he is Number 1 of the gang!” ventured Bill, the +irrepressible. + +“Very possibly. That has yet to be discovered. But what I want you young +people to realize is that this is no ordinary gang. Quite evidently we +are up against an international organization. Their treatment of Janet +is concrete evidence of their cold-blooded ruthlessness when they +believe their plans to be in jeopardy. If you take your cousin’s place, +Dorothy, of course we will see that you are well guarded, but even so, +your part in clearing up this mystery will entail a very great element +of risk.” + +“I’m willing to take the chance.” Dorothy met his inquiring eyes +steadily. “Naturally, I’m sorry for Janet and I want to help her. The +only thing is, I’ve got to be back at High School by January fourth.” + +“I think I can promise you that this job will be cleaned up within a +week.” + +“I reckon,” smiled Bill, “that you haven’t told us all you know about +these lads with numbers instead of names.” + +“Not quite all.” Sanborn smiled back at him. “But that is neither here +nor there just now. By the way, Dorothy, how are you on shorthand and +typewriting?” + +“Oh, not so worse. It’s part of the course I’m taking at New Canaan +High.” + +“Good enough. Frankly, young lady, I would not consider using you, had +not the New Canaan Bank robbery, the affair of the Mystery Plane and the +Conway Case proved conclusively that you have a decided flair for this +kind of thing.” + +“Thank you, sir,” said Miss Dixon with mock coyness. “Them kind words is +a great comfort to a poor workin’ goil. Do I pack a gat wid me, Mister?” + +“You do not. In fact, you will take nothing except what belongs to your +cousin. If I am able to get you into the Jordan flat and they carry you +up to Ridgefield in her place, just being Janet Jordan, who never woke +up when she was sleepwalking last week will be your best protection. Of +course, I’m not deserting you. Either I or some of my men will find +means of keeping in touch with you constantly.” + +“And when the villains scrag me, the secret service boys will arrive on +the scene just in time—to identify the deceased! No thank you. If the +gun is out of orders, Flash will have to go. Of course my jiu jitsu may +help at a pinch, but Flash is more potent and ever so much quicker.” + +“What are you talking about, Dorothy?” Ashton Sanborn looked puzzled. + +“It’s a cinch you can’t drag a dog along if that’s your big idea,” +declared Bill. + +“It is not the big idea, old thing.” Dorothy grinned wickedly. “Flash +and I have got very clubby this fall. He’s really quite a dear, you +know. We travel about together a lot.” + +“The mystery of this age,” observed Bill, “is how certain females can +talk so much and say so little.” + +“Then,” said Dorothy cheerfully, “I’ll let you solve the mystery right +now. Catch!” She tossed him a macaroon from a plate on the table. “Go +over to that bedroom door,” she commanded. “Stand to one side of the +door and throw that thing into the air.” + +“But, I say, Dorothy!” interposed Ashton Sanborn. “This is no time for +fooling, we’ve got—” + +“This is not fooling, you dear old fuss-budget,” she cut in. +“It’s—well, it’s just something that may save you from worrying so much +about me. Now, Bill, are you ready?” + +“Anything to please the ladies,” retorted that young man wearily. He got +up and walked to the far end of the room and took his stand beside the +closed door. “Is Flash a cake hound? Will he jump for the cookie?” + +“He sure will—toss it in the air.” + +The small cake went spinning toward the ceiling, and at the same instant +Dorothy’s right hand disappeared under the table. With the speed of +legerdemain she brought it into view again and her arm shot out suddenly +like a signpost across the white cloth. There was a streak of silver +light—and the three male members of the quartet stared at the bedroom +door in open-mouthed wonder. Quivering in the very center of its upper +panel was a small knife, and impaled on the knife’s blade was the +macaroon. + +“Meet Flash!” said Dorothy. + +“Great suffering snakes!” exploded Bill, plucking out the blade, and +examining it. “The thing’s a throwing knife.” + +“Six inches of razor-keen, leaf-shaped blade,” said Dorothy, “and three +inches of carved ivory hilt, beautifully balanced—that’s Flash. How do +you like him, fellers?” + +“You,” declared Howard, who was still goggle-eyed with surprise, “you +are the most amazing girl I’ve ever met, Dorothy!” + +“And you don’t know the half of it,” said Bill with unstinted fervor. + +“Think I can take care of myself at a pinch, Uncle Sanborn?” Dorothy was +laughing at the expression of astonishment on the detective’s face. + +“You win, young lady.” He chuckled softly. “After this I’ll keep my +worries for Doctor Winn and his friends. Who’d have thought you had +anything like that up your sleeve!” + +“Not up my sleeve, old dear. A little leather sheath strapped just above +my left knee is where Flash came from.” + +“Regular Jesse James stuff, eh?” remarked Bill as he handed back the +knife. + +“Oh, yeah?” Flash disappeared as quickly as he’d come, and Dorothy stood +up. “What’s on the boards, now, boss?” she asked sweetly. + +“Howard—” said Ashton Sanborn, “will you let me have the key to that +apartment of yours? Thanks. Bill and I will need it this afternoon, and +even if things go according to Hoyle, we’ll be powerful busy. In the +meantime, I’ve got a job for you and Dorothy.” He took out his +pocketbook and extracting a sheaf of bills, handed them to the girl. + +“You and Howard are going to have a busy afternoon, too. See that you’re +back here in time for dinner at seven, and—” + +“But what under the sky-blue canopy is all this?” Dorothy was thumbing +the bills, counting them. “Why, I’ve never seen so much money—” + +“Use it to buy your cousin a trousseau. Have the things sent to Mrs. +Howard Bright’s apartment at this hotel. And remember, that when she +arrives here, Janet will have nothing but the clothes she is wearing. +You don’t mind doing this, do you?” + +“Mind! Why, I’ll love it!” Dorothy turned a dazzling smile on Howard, +who was simply tongue-tied by the detective’s announcement. “Isn’t he +swell, Howard? Isn’t he some guy?” + +Ashton Sanborn laughed. “Don’t thank me. Uncle Sam is paying, so you +needn’t bring back any change.” + +Dorothy thrust the money into her purse. “Don’t worry, old bean, I +won’t. So long, you two. Come on, Howard, we’re going to have a +beautiful afternoon!” She caught young Bright by the arm and whirled him +across the room to the coat-rack. She jammed a bright green beret over +her right ear and slung her leopard-cat coat onto her shoulders. “All +set for Fifth Avenue!” she called out merrily as she preceded Howard out +of the room. + + + + + Chapter V + + ON SECRET SERVICE + + +To say that Dorothy enjoyed her afternoon’s shopping would be putting it +mildly. Give any girl plenty of money and tell her to go out and buy an +entire trousseau for herself—or even for somebody else—and watch her +jump at the chance! + +Howard trailed along in more or less of a daze. This sudden change in +his outlook; being drawn from the depths of despondency to the hope of a +future with the girl he loved, and all in the space of a couple of +hours, was a little too much for him to realize at once. Ever after, he +had but a hazy recollection of that shopping tour. The afternoon seemed +but a whirling maze of lingerie, stockings, street dresses, party +frocks, coats, hats, shoes and accessories, upon which his advice was +invariably asked, and never taken. + +They were bowling hotelwards in a taxi, jammed with cardboard boxes and +packages of various shapes and sizes, before he returned to normal. + +“Whew!” he looked at Dorothy. “I should think you’d be dead!” + +She shook her head and laughed. “No girl ever gets tired of shopping,” +she told him gaily. “Wait till you’re married—you’ll find out.” + +“But what’s the idea of bringing all these things back with us? I +thought Mr. Sanborn said to have them sent.” + +“He did—but I have a better idea. This is part of it. I’ll tell you all +about it when we get to the hotel. Keep still now—I want to go over the +lists and see if I’ve forgotten anything!” + +Howard sighed in resignation. + +At the hotel desk they learned that Ashton Sanborn had not returned as +yet, but had left word that they should go to his rooms. With the +assistance of three bellboys, they piled themselves and their packages +into the elevator. + +“Gee! This looks like the night before Christmas!” Howard dropped his +hat and overcoat and stared at the boxes and bundles piled along the +wall of the sitting room. “Janet certainly will be surprised when she +sees all those things!” + +Dorothy pulled off her close-fitting little hat, and tossed it with her +purse and coat onto the table. Then she sank into an easy-chair. “Well, +I only hope she’ll approve. My, this was a strenuous afternoon. You’d +better sit down.” + +Howard followed her advice. “You said it. But I know Janet—she’ll be +crazy about the things you’ve bought.” + +“Oh, you boys are all alike.” Dorothy yawned unashamedly. + +“I don’t get you.” + +“What I mean is that as soon as a fellow goes round with a girl for a +while, he invariably says ‘Oh yes, she’ll like this,’ or, ‘she won’t +like that’.” + +“And—?” + +“Ninety-nine times out of a hundred you guess wrong.” + +“Why?” + +“I think it’s because girls like to do their own choosing. Especially +when it comes to buying clothes. Well, anyway, I think the things are +darling, and they’ll be becoming, too. At least they look well on me.” + +“Don’t worry—those clothes will make her look like a million dollars.” + +“I know they will. I’m tired, I guess.” Dorothy yawned again and closed +her eyes. + +Howard started to say something, thought better of it, yawned, and let +his head pillow itself on the soft upholstery. + +Three quarters of an hour later, Ashton Sanborn and Bill Bolton marched +into the room to find the two shoppers sound asleep in their respective +chairs. The detective coughed discreetly and both the young people +awoke. + +“I see that you’ve brought your spoils back with you,” he smiled, +pointing to the boxes and bundles. Dorothy stared at him, only half +awake, then sat upright in her chair as she realized where she was. + +“Looks to me,” said Bill, getting out of his overcoat, “as if she +thought Janet was going to start a shop of her own. Why did you cart all +the stuff back here instead of having it sent?” + +“Because, Mr. Inquisitive—well, just because. You and Howard run along +now and prepare your handsome selves for dinner. The principles of this +piece are going into conference now.” + +“My _word_—” began Bill, but at a shake of the head from Sanborn, he +took the still drowsy Howard by the arm and together they disappeared +into the bedroom. + +“Pretty tough time you’ve had, I expect?” Mr. Sanborn’s eyes twinkled, +though his tone was grave. + +“Oh, but it was lots of fun,” cried Dorothy. “Thanks to Uncle Sam, and +Uncle Sanborn! And look here, I’ve got a great idea.” + +“Which has to do with your bringing back the packages yourself?” + +“Quite right, it has. Do you think those boys can hear what we’re +saying?” + +“I doubt it, Dorothy—but Bill, as you probably guessed at the end of +the affair of the Winged Cartwheels, is a full-fledged member of my +organization and—” + +“Oh, I don’t mind Bill,” she interrupted in a low tone. “But Howard +mustn’t get wind of it. He might make a fuss.” + +She rose from her chair and going over to the detective, began to +whisper in his ear. + +“But that’s impossible, Dorothy!” he protested, although he allowed a +smile to come to his eyes. “And what’s more, my dear, I’m afraid it +would be illegal.” + +“Oh, no, it wouldn’t! Not if you—” And again she brought her lips close +to his ear. + +“You’re a young scamp!” he laughed as she ended. “But—well—you’re +doing a great deal for me, so—” + +“So you’ll go downstairs and start telephoning right away!” she prompted +eagerly. + +Ashton Sanborn held up his hands in mock despair. “Nieces,” he declared, +“should not badger hard-working old uncles. But since this niece has +been a good girl today, Uncle will do as he’s asked.” + +“I shall never call you anything else but Uncle Sanborn, now,” Dorothy +cried delightedly. + +“Thanks, my child, and I’ll do my best for you.” + +“Angel uncles can do no more,” she laughed. + +“Right-o. I’ll be on my way, then. Come along in about fifteen minutes +with Bill and Howard. I’ll arrange for a table for dinner and meet you +three in Peacock Alley.” The detective caught up his hat and hurried out +of the room. + + * * * * * + +Although Mr. Sanborn was a perfect host, and did all he could to make +that dinner entertaining, he confessed later that he would always +consider it one of the few failures of an otherwise unblemished career. + +Notwithstanding the delicious food, the charm and beauty of the huge +room with its lights and music and scores of well-dressed men and +beautifully gowned women, the dinner was not a success. All three of the +young people were too excited by thoughts of what would happen later to +do justice to the meal. Dorothy, moreover, had the added annoyance of +feeling that her tailored frock, smart enough for luncheon or shopping, +was definitely not the thing to wear at dinner in a fashionable hotel. +Each endeavored to be sprightly and at ease. But since they knew that +the one thing they wanted to talk about was forbidden in public, +conversation flagged. Upstairs at last in Mr. Sanborn’s sitting room, he +came directly to the point. + +“Now I know you’re just rearing to go,” he said. “And perhaps the sooner +we get under way, the better.” He turned to Bill. “You go ahead with +Howard,” he ordered. “Dorothy and I will follow you in about ten +minutes. Go straight to the apartment. We’ll meet you there.” + +“O and likewise K, boss,” Bill returned. “Get into your rubbers, Howard. +And don’t look so gloomy. You’re on your way to meet your best girl, +remember.” + +When they had gone, Dorothy turned at once to the detective. “How about +it, Uncle Sanborn?” she asked eagerly. + +“To quote Bill, ‘O and likewise K,’ niece.” + +“Gee, you _are_ a dear!” Dorothy clapped her hands. “And now that that +is that—I don’t care what happens.” + +“But I do, Dorothy.” Ashton Sanborn was serious. “Listen to me, young +lady. From now on you’re working for the U. S. government, under me, and +I must have my orders obeyed to the letter.” + +“Yes, sir, I understand.” Dorothy’s tone was crisp and business-like. + +“Good. I let those chaps go ahead of us as there is no need of having us +all arrive at that apartment house at the same time. This afternoon, +Bill and I made all arrangements, so that you can change places with +your cousin shortly after you arrive.” + +Dorothy felt secretly proud that this keen-eyed secret service man took +her at her word, and did not ask her again if she were really willing to +go through with it. “May I ask you a question?” + +“Certainly.” + +“Well, suppose that after you manage to get me into Janet’s room, she +refuses to leave it. Do you want me to force her?” + +“Heavens, no.” Sanborn laughed. “That has all been taken care of, +Dorothy. I talked to your cousin by means of Howard’s headphone set +shortly after dark this afternoon. I explained the whole thing to her +and when she understood that her father would be brought into no extra +danger because of our plan, and that I had drafted you into becoming a +secret service operative, she consented.” + +“I’m glad of that,” said Dorothy fervently. “She could easily have +misunderstood and spoiled everything.” + +“Well, we’ll have a lot to do to put it over, even though Janet is +willing. I persuaded her that by doing exactly what you told her, once +you arrived, she would be serving her country like a loyal American. +You, of course, will use your own judgment, when you see her. The +principal thing is to change clothes and get her out the way you came +just as soon as possible.” + +“But how am I to get into the Jordans’ apartment?” + +“Good soldiers, Dorothy, do not ask questions. There’s no secret about +it, but I’ve other things to tell you now. Lawson will probably come for +you—or for Janet, as he will believe you to be. He is a tall, slender +man, about thirty, rather good-looking, dark curly hair and a small +mustache. Your Uncle Michael, if you should run into him, is heavy set +and rather short. He has reddish hair, turning grey, and is clean +shaven. Janet has never met either Doctor Winn, or Mrs. Lawson. Now just +a word about the lady. She is a very beautiful and a very clever woman. +Be on your guard with her, continually. I believe that the principal +reason that you, or rather, Janet Jordan, will be taken to Ridgefield, +is so that you may be studied at first hand by this woman. There is no +need for me to tell you to keep up the Janet personality day and night. +Incidentally, you will have only a very short time to study your cousin, +so make the most of it. Well,” he concluded, “I guess that’s about all. +You will receive further orders within the next day or two. In the +meantime, simply carry on as Janet Jordan. I am taking a great +responsibility in letting you go, my dear. For I won’t hide the fact +that you’d probably be safer in a den of rattlesnakes than in the same +house with Mr. and Mrs. Lawson.” + +“I’m not afraid, you know,” said Dorothy simply and smiled up at him. + +“I know you’re not. But it would really be better if you were. For then +you’d be much more careful, and you must watch your step every minute +until I get you out of it. Here’s your coat. Slip into it and we’ll get +going. The sooner I get you safely into Janet’s room, and that young +lady out of it, the easier will your Uncle Sanborn feel.” + + + + + Chapter VI + + WHO’S WHO? + + +The December evening was cold and wet as Dorothy and Ashton Sanborn +crossed the sidewalk and entered their taxi-cab. The day had been a +dreary one, and now a dense, drizzling fog lay low upon the great city. +Dun-colored clouds drooped over a muddy Park Avenue as they were swept +up town. On the side streets the electrics were but misty splotches of +diffused light which threw feeble circular glimmers upon the slimy +pavements. The yellow glare from shopwindows streamed out into the +chill, vaporous air, and threw a murky, shifting radiance across the +crowded thoroughfare. To Dorothy there was something eerie and ghostlike +in the endless procession of faces which flitted across these narrow +bars of light. She was not in any respect a timid girl, but the dull, +heavy evening, and the prospect of the strange venture in which they +were engaged, combined to make her feel nervous and depressed. + +At 59th street the taxi turned west and rolled steadily along the +shining black asphalt, stopping now and then for the red lights. They +crossed 5th Avenue and swung into Central Park. Dorothy caught glimpses +of the gaunt shapes of trees in silhouette against the cold fog. She +closed her eyes and resolutely turned her thoughts to the events of the +afternoon. + +So engrossed had she become in the contemplation of her delightful +buying orgy that she was surprised when their cab pulled up with a jerk +and Ashton Sanborn opened the door. + +“Muffle up in your fur collar, Dorothy,” he said. “The fewer people who +see your face, the better.” + +Now that the ordeal had arrived, Dorothy’s nervousness vanished. She +buried the lower part of her face in the soft fur collar and walked at +Mr. Sanborn’s side into the lobby of the apartment house. + +A darkey in brass buttoned uniform stood by the elevator. Two shining +rows of white teeth flashed in a smile of greeting for the detective. + +“All the way up, George.” Mr. Sanborn gave the order as the car started +upward. + +“Yaas, suh, boss, I understand.” George smiled again, and presently the +elevator stopped. + +With Mr. Sanborn in the lead, Dorothy walked along a corridor and up a +narrow flight of stairs. The detective opened a door at the top and the +damp cold of the night swept in upon them. A moment later they were +crossing the flat roof of the apartment house toward a small group who +stood near the parapet at the roof’s edge. As they drew nearer, she saw +that the group awaiting them was composed of Bill Bolton, Howard, and a +stranger. They were standing beside a small crane. + +The secret service man nodded a greeting and turned to Dorothy. “We are +directly above Janet’s window, which is three flights below,” he said +quietly, and glanced at the luminous dial of his wrist-watch. + +“And you’re going to let me down with the auto-crane?” she asked with +just a tremor of excitement in her voice. + +“That’s the idea. It’s perfectly safe. Bill tested it this afternoon.” + +Dorothy gave a little laugh. “Oh, I’m not scared, Uncle Sanborn.” + +“I know you aren’t, my dear.” + +“When do I take off?” + +“Whenever you’re ready.” + +“All set now, then, please.” + +“Good. You’ll go in a minute. Here are last instructions. You will seat +yourself in that swinging seat that Bill is holding. The cable to which +it is attached runs through the pulley at the end of the crane’s arm. +This building is nine stories high. The Jordans’ flat is on the seventh +floor, you remember, so Janet’s window is the third one down.” He moved +to the low parapet and leaned over. “The window is dark, so everything +is O.K.,” he said, coming back to her. “Pull your seat in with you when +you enter, Dorothy, and pull down the shade, of course, when the light +is turned on. When Janet is ready, switch off the light again and have +her give a couple of pulls on this guide rope.” He placed the rope in +her hand. “Then we will hoist her up. Ready for your hop now?” + +“Yes, thanks.” + +“Good luck, then. And remember that although you may not see us, I or +some of my men will be near you all the time.” + +Dorothy shook hands with her three friends and stepped into her swinging +seat. She sat down, steadying herself with a grip on the cable. + +“All serene?” asked Bill. + +“Shove off!” said Dorothy. + +Bill motioned to the stranger, there came the low whir of an electric +motor. Her feet left the roof and she felt herself swung upward. Then +the ascent stopped, the arm of the crane swung outward and with it her +pendant seat. Her feet cleared the parapet and she was over the narrow +airshaft. + +Blurred lights from closed windows of the various apartments gave her a +glimpse of many empty ashcans in the small courtyard far below. But the +crane was lowering her now close to the wall of the building. She was +facing the wall, and looking upward she made out four heads leaning over +the parapet at the edge of the roof. + +The descent was slow, but at last she passed two windows and came to +rest beside the third, whose lower sash she saw was open. Then two arms +caught her about the knees and she was pulled into the room. + +“Dorothy—oh, Dorothy!” sobbed an excited voice so like her own that +Dorothy gave a start. + +“Well, here I am, Janet.” It was a prosaic reply, but her own heart was +beating quickly, nevertheless. “Gee, it’s dark in here! Be a dear and +shut down the window on this cable—and draw the shade, then turn on the +light. I’m busy getting out of this thing.” + +She heard the window and shade come down with a rush. As she stepped +free of her conveyance, the lights flashed on, and the cousins flew into +each other’s arms. + +“Janet!” + +“Dorothy!” + +For a long moment the girls hugged each other and Janet, the more +over-wrought, sobbed on her cousin’s shoulder. + +Dorothy was herself deeply touched, but managed to control her feelings. +“Come, dear,” she said at last. “We’ll just have to get going, I guess. +They’re waiting for you on the roof—and somebody is likely to come to +the door. We mustn’t be caught together, you know.” + +“I know it.” Janet released her and again Dorothy gasped, for she heard +her own voice speaking although the words came from Janet. + +“Look, Dorothy!” Janet pointed to a long mirror in the corner of the +room. “I knew that we were a lot alike, but I never could have +believed—” + +“Well, talk about two peas in a pod!” In the glass Dorothy saw herself +standing beside her cousin; and had it not been that she wore a coat and +hat, while Janet was dressed in a wine-colored silk frock, she would +have had difficulty in knowing which was her own reflection. “Maybe I’m +half an inch taller, or hardly that,” she said after a bit. “Lucky we +both have had our hair shingled. You wear a bang, though—but that’s +easily fixed.” + +She whipped off her small hat and went over to the dressing table where +she picked up a pair of nail scissors. Two minutes of snipping and +Janet’s bang was duplicated on her own forehead. The hair she had cut +off had been carefully placed on a magazine cover and opening the window +a trifle she dropped the ends into the night. + +“Now,” she said, closing the window. “You and I had better change +clothes, Janet. And we’ll have to make it snappy.” + +“Yes—and oh dear—” Janet was slipping off her dress—“I’ve got so much +to talk about. You can’t realize what a horrible time I’ve had—and then +to find you, only to lose you again!” Janet was very near to tears. + +“But you won’t lose me long,” Dorothy flashed her a comforting smile as +she got out of her own dress. “Meanwhile, you’ll have Howard. He’s +waiting on the roof, now. And Ashton Sanborn says he can clear up this +business in a few days.” + +“You certainly are wonderfully brave to do this for me,” sighed her +cousin. “If Mr. Sanborn hadn’t insisted that by changing places with you +I’d be really helping the government, I couldn’t allow you to do it. As +it is, I feel I’m cowardly to go through with it—” + +“Why, you’re nothing of the sort,” Dorothy protested. While Janet talked +and they both undressed, she watched her cousin’s mannerisms, storing +away in her memory, for future use, every gesture, and inflection of the +voice so like her own. + +“Who’s who?” she giggled, and now her tone was softer, an exact +duplication of Janet’s manner of speaking. + +Her cousin smiled. “In our undies,” she admitted, “even I am beginning +to wonder if I’m not seeing double and talking to myself. How about +shoes and stockings, Dorothy?” + +“Chuck ’em over, Janet, we’d better do it up right. I sp’ose most of +your things are packed in that wardrobe trunk over there?” + +“Yes. I packed it this afternoon. You’ll find some handkerchiefs and +gloves in the top bureau drawer. I left the trunk open on purpose. When +Mr. Lawson comes, you might be putting them in—it would help to make +things natural.” + +“Right you are—that’s a good idea.” + +“My arctics and my hat and coat are in the closet. Your coat is much +better looking than mine. It’s a shame to take it from you.” + +“What’s a coat between cousins who love each other?” laughed Dorothy and +put on Janet’s dress. + +A few minutes later, the change of clothing had been made, and the girls +regarded each other in awed wonder. + +“I’ll bet,” Dorothy declared, “that when Howard sees you he’ll think +I’ve come back again.” + +Janet blushed. “Well, he’ll soon find out different. But it’s a shame to +leave you here, darling. If there were _only_ some other way!” + +“But there isn’t. So cut along now, and just remember that this kind of +thing is my stuff—I love it.” + +“Some day I’ll make it up to you—if I ever can!” + +Dorothy hesitated for a moment, then smiled. “You can do it tonight, if +you want to.” + +“Why—what do you mean?” + +“Just follow any suggestions that Mr. Sanborn may make.” + +“But, what does that—you’re hiding something from me!” + +“Perhaps I am.” + +“What is it?” + +“Never mind, now.” + +“But, Dorothy—” + +“No time for that, Janet. Get into that swing arrangement with your back +to the window.” + +“All right, but kiss me goodbye, first.” + +They held each other close for a second. Then as Janet took her place on +the seat attached to the steel cable, Dorothy switched off the light. + +“I’ll—I’ll do as you ask, I mean, about Mr. Sanborn,” whispered Janet. + +“Thanks, darling, I—” began Dorothy, her hand on the window sash ready +to raise it. Then suddenly she stopped. + +Somebody was unlocking the door into the hall. + + + + + Chapter VII + + PLAYING A PART + + +Dorothy ran to the door and caught hold of the knob. “Who’s there?” she +cried. + +“It’s I—Martin Lawson, Janet. May I come in?” + +“Oh, please, Mr. Lawson, not right now.” There was a soft tone of +pleading in her voice. “You see, I’ve been lying down and I’m not quite +dressed.” + +“But I thought I heard you speaking.” + +“You did.” The real Janet, shivering by the window, caught her breath +and heard Dorothy’s tone sharpen slightly. “To myself. Being cooped up +like this for hours on end, I’m glad to hear the sound of my own voice. +I often read aloud. But I’ll be ready shortly, if you want me.” + +“All right, then. I’ll be back in five minutes. Your father is here and +he wants to say goodbye.” + +The key turned in the lock and with her ear close to the panel Dorothy +was sure she could hear the faint tread of footsteps retreating down the +hall. With her heart pumping sixty to the second, she dashed back to +Janet and carefully raised the window. + +“Heavens! that was a narrow squeak—” her cousin whispered shakily. +“What nerve you’ve got! I nearly fainted—” + +“Never mind,” Dorothy whispered back, “you’ve got to get out of +here—and right now!” + +“Oh, but I can’t, Dorothy. I’m afraid!” + +Dorothy gave the signal rope two savage pulls. Almost immediately the +cable began to tighten. “Close your eyes and hang on with both hands,” +she ordered. + +“But Dorothy—I’ll scream—I’m going to—I know it!” + +“No, you won’t!” Quickly Dorothy clasped the frightened girl’s fingers +around the taut cable. A dive into the pocket of Janet’s coat brought +forth her own handkerchief which she hurriedly crumpled into a ball and +thrust into her cousin’s mouth. The seat, with Janet in it, was rising +slowly. She caught the paralyzed girl below the knees, steadied her as +the crane drew its burden clear of the sill and pushed her carefully +into the outer darkness. When Janet’s feet were on a level with the +upper sash, she pulled down the window and shade and switched on the +light again. + +“Skies above!” Her breath came in short gasps and she leaned against the +end of the bed to steady herself. “Talk about your thrills! That was +worse than my first solo hop, by a long shot.” She ran her fingers +through her short hair. “Let’s see—what next? Oh, yes—I was supposed +to be lying down.” + +She caught up a book from the table and tossed it open onto the bed. +Then she lay down, rumpled the coverlet, made sure that the pillow +showed the impression of her head, and sprang up again. An adventurous +past had taught her the need of being thorough. + +She went to the window and raising it, looked out and upward. Neither +Janet nor the crane were in sight. Thankful that her cousin was safe at +last, she pulled down the sash. + +Two or three minutes later, when the door was unlocked, the two men who +entered surprised her in the business of packing the contents of the top +bureau drawer into Janet’s wardrobe trunk. + +And now came as pretty a piece of acting as has ever been seen upon the +stage; acting that Dorothy’s audience of two must not realize was +acting, and furthermore, one of these men was the father of the girl she +impersonated. Why hadn’t she remembered to ask Janet what she called +that mysterious father of hers? Father, Papa, Dad, Daddy—which should +she use? A mistake now would be fatal. Even her uncle must not become +aware of her real identity. There was no time for hesitating. He was +speaking now. + +“Janet, my dear—” he began. + +Dorothy ran to her uncle and throwing her arms about his neck, buried +her head on his shoulder. “How could you leave me like this?” she +wailed. “Why do you let these people keep me locked in my room? And now +they are going to take me away!” Her voice grew louder, almost +hysterical. She sobbed pathetically and clutched him a little tighter. + +“My dear child—you mustn’t cry this way—you really mustn’t!” Mr. +Jordan patted her back in the silly way men do when they want to be +comforting. “Mr. Lawson and his wife will look after you in the country, +while your Daddy is away.” + +She released the embarrassed man, and pulling a handkerchief from his +breast pocket, dabbed her eyes with the cambric until she felt certain +they looked bloodshot enough to pass inspection. “But I don’t _want_ to +go, Daddy. Please don’t let them take me,” she begged, her voice +trembling as though she was using all her will power to gain self +control. “If you can’t take me with you, why can’t I go back to school?” + +“But that’s impossible, Janet. You are going to be Mrs. Lawson’s +secretary. Don’t be foolish. All arrangements have been made.” + +“Well, I’m eighteen,” said Dorothy with a show of temper. “My mother was +a year younger than that when she ran away and married you. I am no +longer a child. I don’t like being packed off like—like a bag of +potatoes.” + +“Are there any other reasons why you don’t want to come to Ridgefield +with me?” Mr. Lawson spoke for the first time. His words fairly dripped +with suspicion. + +“Yes, there are.” Dorothy turned on him angrily. “Daddy goes off on a +trip, and for reasons which appear to be a secret, you keep me locked in +my room for more than a week, Mr. Lawson. And you seem to wonder why I +resent it.” + +“But you have been ill, my dear Janet.” + +“If I’m so ill, why has no doctor been to see me?” Her voice was full of +scorn. + +“I have been keeping you under observation myself.” + +“Quite possibly. I’ve been allowed to see nobody except that maid who +acts as if she were deaf and dumb. If you are trying to tell me that I’m +mentally deranged, I won’t stand for it! The mere fact that you now +propose that I act as your wife’s secretary proves that you consider me +capable. What right have you to keep me a prisoner in my own home? Who +are you, Mr. Martin Lawson, to take upon yourself the regulating of my +life?” Dorothy burst into angry tears. + +“But my _dear_ child—” protested Mr. Jordan. “I’ve never seen you +behave like this—” + +“No! And up to now,” she stormed, her eyes flashing, “you’ve never given +me cause. In the first place I’m no longer a child—you forget that—and +then—what kind of a life did you give me as a child? You are my father +and you say that you love me, but can you expect deep affection from a +daughter whom you ship to boarding school at five? You wouldn’t even let +me visit friends during the holidays. For years at a time you never took +the trouble to come and see me. How can you expect love and obedience +after years of neglect?” She drew a sobbing breath, then went on: “For a +while we traveled—you were nice to me—I enjoyed it. We settled down +here. I forgave what you’d done to my childhood. I tried to make this +flat a home for you, even though I was kept like a cloistered nun and +you allowed me no friends. But this is going too far.” + +“And what, may I ask, are you going to do about it?” inquired Lawson +with a disagreeable smile. + +“What can a defenseless girl without friends do to stop two big bullies? +I shall go with you, Mr. Lawson, because I can’t help myself. But don’t +expect me to like being used as a slave, even though I may be of some +comfort to that long-suffering wife of yours. Oh, that makes you angry, +does it? Well, let me tell you, that you are not half as angry as I am. +You can practice your strong-arm methods on defenseless women and get +away with it—some day you’ll try it on a man—and by the time he gets +through thrashing you there won’t be enough left for the boneyard.” She +flashed a smile of contempt on the furious man, and turned to Mr. Jordan +who was speaking again. + +“What has come over you, Janet?” he was saying. “I’ve never heard you +speak so rudely to anyone before. You’ve always been such a quiet little +mouse—” + +“And you’ve taken advantage of it,” she interrupted. “What you forget is +that even a mouse will turn and fight when it’s cornered. If you really +loved me—if you had a spark of manhood in your selfish body, you’d +thrash this man to within an inch of his life and throw him into the +street. Get out of here—both of you!” she cried hysterically. “And +please—no more silly arguments—I don’t want to be forced to say before +outsiders what a contemptible person my father is proving himself to +be.” + +This last tirade seemed to stun Mr. Jordan. From the almost agonized +expression on his face, she saw that at last conscience was at work. The +man was utterly miserable. He could not hide it. + +“Will you—will you be ready to leave in half an hour, Janet?” His voice +was a mere whisper and shook with suppressed feeling. + +“Yes, I’ll be ready. Go now, please—both of you!” She turned her back +on them and walking over to the window, she threw up the shade and the +sash. As she stood there staring into the night, she heard them leave +the room. + +This time the door shut without being locked. Dorothy streaked across +the floor and pressed her ear to the keyhole. Just outside the men were +talking. + +“You’re a fool, Lawson, if you still think that Janet wasn’t asleep +during the meeting,” she heard her uncle say. “Tonight proves it. And +let me tell you this. From now on, my business and my home shall be kept +separate and distinct. Never again will I allow myself to be placed in a +position to be dressed down by my own daughter. There was no comeback +either. Every word she said was gospel truth. It’s a terrible thing when +a daughter makes her father realize what a low, cowardly creature he is +at heart. Well, how about it? Aren’t you now convinced of her +innocence?” + +“I am.” Lawson clipped off the words, and as he went on speaking, there +was insolence as well as a hint of nervousness in his tone. “But when it +comes to giving me a thrashing, Number 5—well, I shouldn’t try it if I +were you—not if you value your—er—health!” + +“Stop talking like a fool!” retorted Janet’s father. “Is the girl to be +sent to Ridgefield or not?” + +“Now you’re talking rot, yourself,” snapped Lawson. “You know quite as +well as I do that Laura won’t take our word for it. She told me this +morning that any clever woman or girl for that matter, could twist a man +around her finger without half trying. Laura wants to study your +daughter herself—and that’s all there is to it.” + +“I hope Mrs. Lawson has a pleasant time of it.” Mr. Jordan said +sarcastically. “But I’m afraid my hope will not be granted.” + +“Laura,” answered that lady’s husband, “can be rather disagreeable +herself when she’s roused. Let us hope for Janet’s sake, that she +doesn’t try her tantrums on my wife. By the way, what are you doing +now?” + +“Getting away just as fast as I can, thank you. No more scenes for me, +tonight. I wouldn’t meet Janet on her way out of here for a million +dollars!” + +They moved further along the hall and Dorothy went slowly back to the +window. Across the narrow court, two flights up, the shaded windows of +Howard Bright’s flat shone a dull golden yellow in the black wall. For +several minutes she stood watching the windows, her thoughts upon what +she had done and what she had just heard. + +Suddenly, shadows appeared on one of the yellow rectangles. The shade +was raised and framed in the window were Janet and Howard. Just behind +them stood a stranger who wore the round, conventional collar of a +clergyman. The young couple were smiling happily. Both waved, and Janet +held up her left hand. + +Dorothy knew the significance of that gesture, and threw them a kiss. +Then she saw the shade roll down, and she turned away. + +“And so they were married and lived happily ever after.” She sighed. +“Uncle Sanborn kept his promise, like the fine old sport he is.” + +She stuffed the last of Janet’s belongings into the trunk, slammed it +shut and locked it. + +“Now for the dirty work—and Laura Lawson.” She smiled grimly and went +to the closet for Janet’s hat and coat. + + + + + Chapter VIII + + “WALK INTO MY PARLOR” + + +The sedan, with Martin Lawson driving and Dorothy beside him, purred +smoothly through the dank, cold night. Now that they were past the realm +of traffic lights, it lopped off the miles between them and Ridgefield +with the regularity of an electric saw cutting planks from a log. + +During the entire journey, now nearly over, Dorothy had spoken no word +to the man beside her. She wanted him to believe that she was still +furiously angry. As a matter of fact, she had felt antagonistic toward +him from the first moment she laid eyes upon him; his smug overgrooming, +the highly polished fingernails, the small waxed moustache and too +immaculate clothing, all repelled her. She knew at once what it had +taken Janet some time to realize: Martin Lawson might be and probably +was a very clever man; he was, on the other hand, a man to be wary of. +His manner was just a little too complacent, too smooth. Notwithstanding +the forewarning she had received regarding his character, Dorothy knew +instinctively that he was not genuine and not a trustworthy person in +any respect. She detested him thoroughly. + +He was a careful driver, she gave him credit for that. They found little +traffic to impede their progress along the Boston Post Road, once the +long tentacles of the great city were left behind. But the black swath +of highway leading out and on from their moisture-coated headlights +glistened wetly in their reflection. After they turned into the hills +behind Stamford, heading for the Connecticut Ridge Country, the road for +a mile or more at a stretch was covered with wet leaves. They crawled +along at a snail’s pace to prevent skidding and a crash into the New +England stone fences that rambled along the roadside dividing woodland +from the rolling meadows. + +Just beyond New Canaan, they drove past Dorothy’s home and Bill +Bolton’s, for the properties faced each other across the ridge road. +Before they reached Vista it was raining dismally, and Lawson had the +windshield wiper going. Dorothy was thankful that the sixty-mile journey +from New York was nearly over. At last they reached the outskirts of +Ridgefield, and the car swung into a driveway between high pillars of +native stonework. In the glow from the electric globes on the gate +posts, the blue stone driveway curved and twisted like a huge snake, +winding through landscaped lawns and gardens as formal and precise as a +public park. + +It was raining harder now, and Dorothy could see nothing beyond the path +of their headlights. Although she had never been in the grounds before, +she had driven past the Winn place numbers of times. Finally, she made +out the bulk of a great stone house. Martin Lawson stopped the car +beneath a porte-cochere. They had arrived. + +Massive doors of wrought iron and glass swung open. A butler and two +footmen in livery ran down the steps. The butler, a tall, +important-looking individual, snapped open the car door. + +“Good evening, Mr. Lawson,” he said. “Good evening, Miss.” + +The voice with its high-pitched Oxford drawl still smacked of +Whitechapel. Dorothy, who had travelled in England, was sure that under +stress, the cockney in this personage would come out. She knew he was +careful of his aitches. + +“Good evening, Tunbridge,” Lawson returned briskly, and Dorothy smiled +pleasantly. “Is Mrs. Lawson still up?” + +“Madam is awaiting you in the library, sir.” Tunbridge helped Dorothy to +alight and handed Janet’s overnight bag to a footman. “Jones,” he said +to the other flunky, as Lawson stepped out of the car, “drive round to +the service entrance. Miss Jordan’s box is in the back of the car. See +that it is taken up to the Pink Bedroom and have Hanley garage the +motor-car.” + +“Very good, sir,” returned the man, and he got into the automobile. + +Tunbridge ushered them up the broad stone steps. Dorothy caught a last +glimpse of a leafless, dripping hedge across the drive, and the giant +skeleton arms of a tree that seemed to menace earth and sky; then she +entered the house, wondering what the next act of this strange drama +would bring forth. + +She found herself in an enormous hall, furnished with objects such as +she had never seen outside a museum. Elaborately carved oak, suits of +armor, stone urns, portraits, a wide stone staircase mounting upward to +surrounding galleries, stained glass windows, tigers’ and lions’ heads, +antlers of tremendous size, strange and beautiful weapons, all ranged in +confusion before her eyes and suggested a baronial castle rather than +the home of an American scientist, in the Connecticut hills. + +Tunbridge led to a door on the right, where he knocked, then opened, as +a muffled “Come in” was heard. + +“Miss Jordan and Mr. Lawson, Madam,” announced the butler, and he stood +aside to let them pass. + +Dorothy walked into a room whose walls seemed built of books. The +furniture was richly attractive and looked luxuriously comfortable. A +fire blazed in a fine chimney and a table near it was set with a glitter +of splendid silver and hot water plates below shining metal covers. + +A tall, superbly beautiful woman, with dark eyes and coal-black hair +that grew in a widow’s peak on her brow, rose from a chair on the wide +hearth and came toward them. Her clear, white skin, and a broad streak +of silver across the black hair gave her a strangely ethereal +appearance, as though she might have been a being from another planet. +The hand she held out to Dorothy was exquisitely formed, the fingers +long and tapering. + +“How do you do, Janet,” she said pleasantly. “Welcome to Winncote. You +are later than we expected. The Doctor has gone to bed, but he left his +greetings.” + +“Thank you,” Dorothy returned formally and shook hands. “You are very +kind, Mrs. Lawson.” + +Laura Lawson gave her a smile, but the girl saw that it was a smile of +the lips alone, her dark eyes remained somber. “Did you have a +breakdown?” she asked her husband, taking notice of him for the first +time. + +“Slippery roads—it was impossible to do much more than crawl, Laura.” +He lifted a dish cover on the table and inspected its contents. “Glad +you thought to order supper—I’m famished.” + +“So am I,” admitted his wife and her words seemed to carry a double +meaning. “It’s long after three. Come over here by the fire and get +warm, Janet. Now Tunbridge—if you’ll please serve us?” + +Tunbridge seated them at the supper table and uncovered the dishes. + +“Just a light meal,” announced the hostess, “scrambled eggs, toast and +cocoa, but it will warm you up and help you last until breakfast.” + +“It looks delicious!” said Dorothy, who discovered at the sight of food +that she was starving. In fact all three were hungry, and for some +little time conversation was dropped while the soft-footed Tunbridge +waited upon them. + +“We will have a chat tomorrow, Janet,” Mrs. Lawson said presently. +“Tonight you are tired and so am I. We take breakfast in our rooms. Ring +for it when you’re ready, but don’t hurry about getting up, I’ll see you +down here about eleven-thirty. Have you had enough to eat and drink, my +dear?” + +“Plenty, thank you, Mrs. Lawson.” Dorothy thought it would be just as +well if she played the demure mouse until she had a chance to size up +her employer. + +“Then I think we’ll go upstairs, Janet, and I’ll show you your room.” +She looked at her husband. “You’ll be coming up soon, Martin?” + +“Just as soon as I finish this pipe, and get a bit warmer.” + +“I think,” said Mrs. Lawson, “that both you and Janet had better take a +hot lemonade before you go to bed. I don’t want to have you both laid up +with colds tomorrow.” She smiled solicitously at the girl. + +“I hate the filthy stuff,” protested her husband. + +“Don’t be ridiculous,” she answered coldly and turned to the butler. +“Tunbridge, have hot lemonades sent to Miss Jordan and Mr. Lawson in +about twenty minutes, if you please.” + +“Very good, madam.” + +Laura Lawson slipped her arm through Dorothy’s. “Don’t be long, Martin.” + +“I won’t. Good night, Janet.” + +“Good night, Mr. Lawson.” + +Mrs. Lawson seemed lost in thought as they slowly mounted the stone +stairs. Suddenly she began chattily: “Men are such stupid creatures, +Janet. So stupid about taking medicine or anything else that may be good +for them. Martin and that hot lemonade is a case in point. I hope that +you haven’t any foolish ideas like that?” + +“Oh, no, indeed. I’m rather fond of it.” + +“That’s fine. Now promise me you’ll get into bed and drink it just as +hot as possible. There’s nothing better to ward off a cold, and you’ll +sleep like a top into the bargain. Well, here’s your room, my dear. It’s +late, so I won’t come in, but I think you’ll find all you need to make +you comfortable. If you want anything, ring. Good night, Janet. Sleep +well.” + +“I’m sure I will, Mrs. Lawson. Good night.” + +The older woman passed along the gallery and Dorothy entered her +bedroom. It was a good-sized room, attractively furnished with +everywhere evidence of a woman’s taste. Pink-shaded electric candles +gleamed from the walls papered in cream and scattered with tiny pink +rosebuds. The small grey-painted bed displayed pink pillow cases, sheets +and blankets. A dainty writing desk in one corner of the room was also +painted grey as was the chaise longue and the chairs, where the +upholstery carried out the note of pink. A soft grey rug, pink-bordered, +covered the floor, and Dorothy’s feet sank into its thick, warm pile as +she investigated her new quarters. She saw that the room was nearly +square, and opposite the door a rounded alcove sheltered a bow window, +hung with pink taffeta, and the window seat below it was cushioned in +pink. + +In a corner against the wall stood Janet’s wardrobe trunk, and near it +was a door that led into a spacious closet. Dorothy hung her coat on a +padded hanger, and then looked into the rose and onyx tiled bath. + +As she re-entered the bedroom she stopped short in surprise. A small +piece of white paper protruded from beneath the door to the gallery. +Quickly she stooped, snatched the paper and opened the door. The gallery +was empty. Crossing to the balustrade she looked down upon the great +entrance hall. That also was deserted and nobody was to be seen on the +staircase. + +She turned back, closed and locked her door. Then she spread out the +paper she had crumpled in her hand. Printed on one side in pencil she +read the words: + +“BE ON YOUR GUARD. DO NOT DRINK THE LEMONADE. DESTROY THIS AT ONCE.” + +“Now I wonder...” Dorothy muttered softly, “who sent me this note?” + + + + + Chapter IX + + IN THE NIGHT + + +Dorothy turned over the piece of paper to find as she expected that the +other side was blank. No signature. Nothing but the double warning, and +the admonition to destroy the missive and to do so at once. Evidently +the writer either believed or knew for certain that she would shortly be +disturbed. There was no fireplace in the bedroom. Even though she tore +the note into bits, some of the scraps might be found and pieced +together should she throw them out the window; and her room might be +searched at any time. How could she make way with it? For a moment or +two Dorothy was at a loss. Mechanically her fingers tore the paper into +fine shreds. + +Then she smiled. “I guess we’ll let the plumbing take care of you,” she +said, gazing down on the little pile of paper on her palm, and she +disappeared into the bathroom. + +When she returned, Dorothy opened Janet’s over-night bag, took out a +pair of green silk pajamas, bedroom slippers and toilet accessories, +among which was a new toothbrush in a case. This, and the underwear she +had on were the only belongings of her own that she had retained. + +From Janet’s purse, she extracted the trunk key. After some rummaging in +that large travelling wardrobe, she found a quilted bathrobe of pale +pink satin on a hanger toward the back. It was too late to unpack +entirely, and she was about to close and relock the trunk, when she +decided to leave it open. The Janet Jordan she was portraying had never +waked up at the famous meeting of last week. That Janet would feel +outraged at her imprisonment, her father’s seeming callousness and would +naturally be furious at being packed up here willy-nilly: but she would +have no cause to be suspicious of these people in this big stone house. +If she had locked the trunk—Dorothy realized she had almost made a +mistake, although a minor one—and in her present position mistakes were +dangerous affairs. + +Although it was very late and the day had been a strenuous one Dorothy +did not feel tired. While she undressed, she went over in her mind the +new vistas opened up by this mysterious note she had just destroyed. As +she dissected it word by word from memory, she was astonished to find +that the scrap of paper carried much interesting information between the +lines. + +Undoubtedly, Ashton Sanborn had planted a member of his organization in +the house, but how that had been possible, she could not imagine. First +of all, there was the warning to be on her guard. That Mrs. Lawson was +indicated she had no doubt. Her hostess, while seeming most charming and +courteous, had nevertheless suggested the hot lemonade which the note +told her not to drink. It was quite likely that her unknown adviser had +reason to think that the lemonade would be drugged. And then these +people could hardly mean to poison her so soon after her arrival. For +their whole idea in bringing her to Winncote, as she understood it, was +to make sure whether the real Janet had heard their secrets or not. +No—they merely wanted her to sleep soundly. But why? + +Dorothy pondered on this for several minutes. There could be only one +reason, she decided. Somebody was planning to enter her bedroom tonight, +and wished to do so without her knowledge. What their purpose might be +she could not guess and she did not bother about it. To a girl of a +nervous temperament, such as Janet Jordan, the knowledge that such a +visit was planned and success arranged for by means of a drug, would +have been torture. But Dorothy, who could feel “Flash” in his holster +just above her knee was merely worried for fear that lemonade or no +lemonade she would fall asleep. The arrival here had been uneventful +enough after what had happened at the Jordans’ apartment. At least, to +all outward appearances it had been smooth sailing. She was beginning to +realize that nothing with these people was what it seemed to be. She had +climbed her Vesuvius and was standing at the crater’s edge. Already the +first rumblings of the eruption had been heard. + +Her position, though seemingly secure, was nothing of the kind. The +sooner Ashton Sanborn gave her the orders he had promised, and she could +carry them out and get away from this place, the better for Dorothy +Dixon. And yet she could not help a feeling of exhilaration. + +There came a gentle knock on her door. Wearing her quilted wrapper and +slippers she turned the key and opened to—the imposing Tunbridge. He +bore a small tray on which stood a steaming tumbler, a bowl of sugar, +two spoons and a napkin. “Your hot lemonade, Miss Jordan,” he announced +in his pompous voice and rather as though he were offering her a +priceless gift. “Mrs. Lawson’s instructions are to drink it after you +get in bed, Miss. May I mention also that it is very hot?” + +Dorothy took the tray. “Thank you, Tunbridge, I’ll be careful. Good +night!” + +“Good night, Miss.” + +The butler departed in the direction of the stairway, and Dorothy closed +the door and locked it again. + +She set the tray on a chair beside her bed and put two spoonfuls of +sugar into the tall glass. It was too hot for anyone to drink yet, so +she went into the bathroom to get ready for bed. + +Five minutes later she switched off all the lights except the one on the +head board. Then she got into bed, picked up the glass and stirred her +lemonade, making sure that the spoon tinkled against the glass. If +anyone was listening outside her door they would naturally think she was +drinking the stuff. + +After waiting a moment or two longer, she set the glass down on the tray +with a thump that might have been heard on the gallery. But the glass +remained in her hand. Off went her light now, and still holding the +lemonade she got quickly and quietly out of bed. A silent trip to the +bathroom in the dark and she emptied the lemonade into her washbowl. +Then she came back and placed the empty glass on the tray. She hurried +over to the bow window, opened a sash, turned off the heat in the +radiator and crawled into bed again. + +The bed was to the left of the door as one entered the room. By lying on +her right side Dorothy held the entire room within her view. After the +soft glare from the shaded electric lights, it seemed inky black, but +soon her eyes grew accustomed to the gloom. In the wall just beyond the +foot of the bed was the closed door of her closet. The trunk stood +beyond that in the corner. The alcove and window seat took up a large +section of the farther wall and in the corner, diagonally across from +where she lay was a dark spot—the writing desk. Opposite her bed was +the half open door to the bathroom. The dressing table, the door to the +hall but a few feet from her head—mentally she had completed her tour +of the room. + +Then for a long while, or so it seemed to the excited girl, she lay +there waiting. Of course her door was locked, but the affair of the +Winged Cartwheels a few months before had taught Dorothy that keys may +be turned from the outside with a pair of small pincers. Her mind now +set itself on the key in the door. In vain she listened for the warning +click that would come when it turned in the lock. Now that she was lying +in bed she began to discover how tired she was. It became harder and +harder to stay awake. + +She knew that she must have dozed, for without warning a light appeared, +a golden circle on the center of the rug. Instantly she was wide awake +and her hand beneath the blankets drew her throwing knife from its +sheath. Through half-closed eyelids she made out a dark figure holding a +flash light pointed toward the floor. + +Then the glowing circle moved to the empty glass beside her bed, and +Dorothy closed her eyes. For a moment it rested upon her face and she +heard a low chuckle. Dorothy knew that voice. Her visitor was Laura +Lawson. + +The light swept away from her face. Mrs. Lawson touched the wall switch +by the door and the bedroom sprang into light. The drug in the lemonade +must have been a strong one, for it was evident that the intruder had no +fear of her awakening. Without wasting another glance on Dorothy, Laura +Lawson went to the wardrobe trunk and commenced a detailed inspection of +its contents. + +The woman’s back was turned, so Dorothy had no difficulty in watching +her movements. Everything in the trunk was taken out, glanced at and put +back exactly as it had been. This took some time, and it was fully half +an hour before her hostess finished with the trunk. Next she overhauled +the small travelling bag and the purse. Then the empty drawers of the +dressing table and desk came under the woman’s eye. The pillows and +cushions of the window seat were lifted. The rug was turned back. Every +nook and cranny of the room and closet came under observation. Then she +went into the bathroom. + +“What under the shining canopy can she be looking for?” Dorothy +marveled. “It can’t be the note I got tonight. She proposed the lemonade +before that could have been written. I wonder if she’ll search the bed? +She mustn’t find Flash—” + +When Laura Lawson returned to the bedroom, she saw that the sleeper had +turned over and was now facing the wall. For a moment she gazed down on +the girl, then her hand crept under the pillow. Finding nothing there, +the covers were pulled back to the foot of the bed. + +Dorothy felt the cold breeze from the open window blowing on her +pajamaed body, but she did not move. Presently sheet, blankets and silk +comfort were replaced and the woman left the bedside. Dorothy chuckled +inwardly. Flash was still safe. She was lying on him. + +Off went the light. Dorothy knew that Mrs. Lawson’s slippered feet would +make no sound on the thick pile of the rug. She waited to hear the door +open and close, but heard nothing. With her face to the wall, she could +see nothing. The strain of lying motionless became nerve wracking. What +was the woman doing anyhow? Slowly she rolled over again. So far as she +could tell, the room was empty. + +For what seemed an age Dorothy lay, listening. Except for the wind +sighing through the bare trees outside her window, there was no other +sound. She felt nervous and unpleasantly excited. She must know if the +door had been left unlocked. Slipping out of bed she tiptoed across to +it and tried the handle. The door did not give. + +Suddenly she froze against the panels. A dim glow appeared on the +opposite wall as the closet door swung slowly back, and outlined in the +opening was the tall figure of Tunbridge. + + + + + Chapter X + + SURPRISES + + +Dorothy’s experiences, since she had shopped for neckties for her father +that morning had been quite enough to lay up the average girl for a +week, and to wreck her nerves into the bargain. Laura Lawson’s +appearance in her bedroom had strained tightened nerves to the breaking +point. + +The arrival of this second intruder was just too much. As the butler +stepped out of the closet and started to close the door, Dorothy’s +self-control snapped like a rubber band. She forgot that she was playing +a part; that it might be suicidal to show her hand so early in the game. +Fear gripped her throat. Had this man been sent to kill her? If not, +then what was he doing, stealing into her room through a secret entrance +like an assassin of the middle ages? Self-preservation bade her act. The +consequences could take care of themselves. + +“Stop!” The harsh whisper, as her hand dove for Flash, sounded like the +voice of a stranger. “Move another step, and I’ll pin you to that door!” +Flash was in her raised hand now, the extended blade reflecting the +light in the closet as though the polished steel were glass. + +She saw the man start in surprise and turn his head in her direction. As +she was about to hurl the knife, Tunbridge found his voice. + +“Ashton Sanborn sent me, Miss Dixon. Please don’t throw that knife.” + +Gone was the English accent, and the pompous intonation of the British +man servant. Tunbridge, if that were really his name, spoke the American +Dorothy was accustomed to hear, the accents of the cultured New +Englander. For the second time in her life, Dorothy fainted. + +She awoke to find herself in bed. Tunbridge was beside it. She could +just make out his tall, powerful figure in the darkness. + +“Goodness—did I faint?” she said weakly. + +“You certainly did, Miss Dixon.” His tone was little above a whisper. +“Please don’t raise your voice—and drink this. I found the aromatic +spirits of ammonia in the bathroom. You need something to steady you. No +one is cast iron—you’ve been through a frightful lot today.” + +Dorothy took the glass and drained it. Then she lay back on her pillow. +“I got the scare of my life just now. Why didn’t Ashton Sanborn tell me +about you, Mr.—” + +“Tunbridge is really my name, Miss Dixon. John Tunbridge, and very much +at your service. I was afraid my rather abrupt appearance would startle +you, and especially coming so soon after Mrs. Lawson’s—er—visit. I got +a shock myself when I saw your white figure by the door just now, and +all ready to split me with that knife, like—like a macaroon.” He +chuckled, and removing the tray, sat down on the chair beside her bed. + +“Oh, then you’ve seen Ashton Sanborn this evening, Mr. Tunbridge?” + +“Heard from him, Miss Dixon. As you must know by now, I am a secret +service operative and I am working under Mr. Sanborn. There isn’t time +to go into detail now, but a couple of months ago, our department +received an anonymous letter saying that Doctor Winn would bear +watching. Shortly before that the Doctor had engaged Mrs. Lawson, who is +an expert chemist by the way, to take charge of his laboratory. Her +husband has been Doctor Winn’s secretary since last spring. We thought +at that time that Mrs. Lawson might be the mysterious letter writer. +Since then we’ve altered our opinion. Mr. Sanborn decided that inasmuch +as Doctor Winn was working for the government it would be well to have a +secret service man in the house. We prevailed upon the butler here to +resign and I took his place.” + +“Then Doctor Winn knows you’re a government detective?” + +“No one in this house knows that, except you, Miss Dixon. The whole +matter was arranged through an employment agency. Doctor Winn and the +others here have no idea that I, like you, am simply playing a part.” + +“Well, you’re certainly a splendid actor, Mr. Tunbridge.” + +“Thank you, Miss Dixon. As you’ve no doubt discovered, acting, +convincing acting, often plays a large part in our profession. You are +doing brilliantly in that respect yourself. Mr. Sanborn thought, +however, that it would be better if you did not know about me until the +necessity arose. Mrs. Lawson, he knew would be watching you like a hawk +when you arrived. If you had been aware of my identity, your position +would only have been more difficult. She might have had her suspicions +aroused in some way, which would have given you a wrong start from the +beginning. I think you will realize tomorrow how hard it will be to +treat me as though I were merely Tunbridge the butler.” + +“Oh, I think you’re right. Tell me, how did you find out about the +lemonade?” + +“I overheard the Lawsons talking, yesterday. Made it my business in +fact. It seems that Mrs. Lawson has had the idea that if Janet Jordan +was only shamming sleep at that meeting, she would do her best to +communicate with her father in some way. The natural thing to do would +be to write a note and slip it in his hand or his pocket, when he came +to see her. Martin Lawson was sure he would detect anything of the kind +when he brought Jordan to say goodbye to Janet tonight at the flat. If +not, the plan was to drug the girl with hot lemonade so that Mrs. Lawson +could search her belongings for the note tonight.” + +Dorothy nodded. “I watched her closely while she was in here, and so far +as I could make out she didn’t find anything that interested her +particularly. The Lawsons must have guessed wrong about Janet writing +her father.” + +“Well, no, they didn’t,” declared her new ally. “Janet wrote a letter, +just as they surmised.” + +“But where could it be?” asked Dorothy in a startled whisper, and sat +bold upright in bed. + +“Probably destroyed by this time,” Mr. Tunbridge chuckled. “There’s no +need to worry on that score, Miss Dixon. When Ashton Sanborn spoke to +your cousin this afternoon by means of Howard Bright’s headphone set, he +learned that Janet proposed doing just what this clever pair here +figured upon. Of course she had already written the note, and as there +was no safe way to get rid of it in her room, he told her to take it +with her when she left. And now if you’ll be good enough, I wish you’d +tell me what happened after you took her place in the flat.” + +Dorothy gave him a short sketch of her encounter with her uncle and +Martin Lawson in Janet’s room, and of the conversation between the two +men in the corridor afterward. “All the way up here,” she ended, “I +pretended I had a grouch. Mr. Lawson tried to start a conversation +several times, but he soon found it wasn’t much fun talking to himself +and he gave it up as a bad job.” + +“Excellent,” applauded the secret service man, “and quite in keeping +with your behavior in the flat. You have done most remarkably well, Miss +Dixon. Only—you won’t mind if I warn you not to let first success make +you careless.” + +“Do you really believe that these people mean to do away with me if they +discover I am not what I appear to be, Mr. Tunbridge? It sounds a bit +too melodramatic, don’t you think?” + +“These Lawsons, husband and wife, are playing for gigantic stakes.” The +detective’s voice, though barely audible was extremely grave. “They will +stop at nothing. When crooks have at least two murders behind them, +they’re not likely to stop at a third.” + +“Then—then they are _not_ what they pretend?” + +“Certainly not. They’re a pair of high class European crooks named +du Val.” + +Dorothy shuddered. “And _murderers_!” + +“Undoubtedly. They’re wanted both in England and in Austria for their +crimes.” + +“How did you find that out?” + +“Oh, you see I recognized them when I arrived here, Miss Dixon.” + +“But—but I can’t see why—why you didn’t arrest them then and there! +You knew that they were after the secret of Doctor Winn’s new explosive, +or whatever it is he has invented.” + +“Yes, we realized that the formula for Doctor Winn’s explosive gas was +the magnet that drew the du Vals to this house; but until today we had +no idea how they proposed to dispose of the formula after stealing it.” + +“I see. And now you realize that they probably intend to sell it to the +organization of which my uncle is a member?” + +“You are right, Miss Dixon.” + +“Then why can’t you arrest the Lawsons now?” + +“We can take the Lawsons at any time,” Tunbridge explained. “But we want +to catch the ringleader of this organization. We know the group exists +and for no good purpose, but what their definite object may be we still +have no means of telling. We can’t arrest them on suspicion alone. Once +they actually buy the formula from the Lawsons, it will be quite a +different matter.” + +She shook her head slowly. “But why hasn’t the formula been stolen +before this? They’ve had plenty of opportunity, surely—” + +“Because it is not completed. At dinner tonight I heard the Doctor say +that by tomorrow afternoon the work would be finished, and that he +expected to take the formula to Washington the day after tomorrow.” + +“Then you expect?—” + +“I expect that the Lawsons will make their attempt tomorrow night.” + +“And where do I come in on this business, Mr. Tunbridge?” + +“You are going to take the plans from Doctor Winn’s safe before the +Lawsons get to it.” + +She drew her breath sharply. “That’s a pretty large order—” + +“I know it, but—of course you’ll have the combination of the safe—” + +“Are you going to give it to me now?” + +“Too dangerous. They are quite capable of searching your belongings +again—or your person, for that matter—at any time. I’ll get it to you +with exact instructions just as soon as the Doctor completes that +blooming formula and locks it in the safe.” + +“That’s all very well, Mr. Tunbridge. But has it occurred to you that if +I steal this paper—I suppose it will be a paper?—” + +“Probably several of them—” + +“Well, if I take these papers before the Lawsons can get them, how are +you going to arrest my uncle and the other men?” + +“You,” directed Tunbridge, “will simply make a copy and replace the +original documents where you found them. This is a safety-first move. We +must have a copy in case the originals are destroyed.” + +“It looks like a very complicated matter to me,” Dorothy admitted +candidly. “Why not put the old gentleman wise? After all, it’s his +formula, and if he made his own copy it would save us a possible run-in +with the Lawsons, and—” + +Mr. Tunbridge stood up. “Perhaps you’re right,” he said, making a brave +attempt to stifle a yawn, “but Doctor Winn would never agree to it. For +a scientist who dabbles in high explosives, he’s the most nervous man +I’ve ever met. He’d give the whole show away. No, that’s out of the +question. Doctor Winn must be kept in ignorance of the whole proceeding. +And now—” a yawn got the better of him this time— “and now to bed. You +need sleep even more than advice just now. Good night, or rather, good +morning, Miss Dixon. Pleasant dreams, I hope.” + +He started toward the door and Dorothy sprang out of bed and reached for +her dressing gown. + +“I want to see that secret passage, Mr. Tunbridge,” she said in a low +tone. + +“Oh, yes, come along.” He opened the door and stepped inside the closet. +“It works this way. Press your foot on the board in the farthest right +hand corner, like this, and a panel in the back wall slides up—like +that—” + +Dorothy stared at the gaping black hole, then as the detective-butler +snapped on his flashlight she saw that a narrow circular staircase led +downward in the wall. + +“That stair curves down to the ground floor,” he explained. “It comes +out through the side wall inside the big fireplace in the hall. To open +the panel down there you press a button under the left-hand corner of +the mantel. To close either panel you simply put it down, once you’re +inside.” + +“Are there any more of these passages in the walls?” + +“Very likely, but I haven’t found them yet. Winncote is an exact copy of +the Doctor’s ancestral home in Wales. Those old houses were honeycombed +with priest holes, secret passages and whatnot. And Doctor Winn had his +architect copy the original Winncote across the water down to the last +stone, with modern improvements such as bathrooms and steam heat, +added.” + +“Funny old fellow, isn’t he?” commented Dorothy sleepily. “Then I’m +simply to carry on until I hear from you again?” + +“That’s right. But whatever you do, watch your step with the Lawson +woman. She is fully as heartless as she is beautiful. If you had never +heard of that meeting in the Jordans’ flat, it would be much better for +you. She will try to trap you, so please be on your guard continually. +Well, good night, again.” + +“Good night, Mr. Tunbridge.” + +The panel in the back wall of the closet slid into place, and Dorothy +went back to bed. She realized now that this matter of impersonating her +cousin was not going to prove to be the easy job she had fancied. A slip +on her part now would not only put her own life in danger, it would +probably ruin all government plans to apprehend these desperate +criminals. + +At last she fell into a troubled sleep wherein she dreamed that a long +circular staircase curved round and round her bedroom, and that Mrs. +Lawson, dressed as a butler, had set her to watch every step of it. + + + + + Chapter XI + + GRETCHEN + + +Dorothy awoke from troubled dreams to find that it was another day. +Through the open window she saw the swirl of snowflakes driven in a high +wind. The bedroom was cold and in the grey light of the winter morning +it had lost its cheerful air. + +She heard a knock on the door. + +“Who’s there?” she called drowsily. + +“It’s the maid, miss. Mrs. Lawson thought you might be wanting your +breakfast now.” + +Dorothy looked at her wrist watch. The hands marked ten-thirty. She +jumped out on the rug, which felt cold and clammy under her bare feet, +went to the door and unlocked it. Then she scampered back to bed and +snuggled under the warm covers. + +In walked a trim little figure wearing the small white apron and gray +uniform of a chambermaid. Dorothy saw a round merry face, and a pair of +big blue eyes beneath the white lawn cap, and thick flaxen braids were +coiled round the neat head. She was surprised and somehow pleased to +discover that this attractive member of the household staff could not be +much more than sixteen, just her own age. + +The little maid shut the door softly, crossed to the window and closed +it, turned on the steam heat and came to the bedside. “Good morning, +Miss Jordan.” She smiled engagingly. “I’m Gretchen, miss. Will you have +your breakfast in bed?” + +“Why, thank you, Gretchen—that will be cozy. But if it’s going to give +you any trouble, don’t bother.” With the covers drawn up to her eyes, +Dorothy smiled back at the girl. + +“Oh, no, miss—it’s no trouble at all.” Gretchen was insistent. “It’s +all ready now. I’ll run down and bring it up.” + +She whisked out of the room and Dorothy rolled over for another cat-nap. + +“If you’ll be good enough to sit up now, Miss Jordan—I have your +breakfast here.” + +Dorothy awoke again, yawned and stretched luxuriously. Gretchen stood +beside her bed with the breakfast tray. + +“If you’ll be good enough to sit up, miss?” she repeated. + +Dorothy punched the pillows into position behind her, slipped the +quilted gown about her shoulders and leaned back. Gretchen moved +nearer—then almost dropped the tray. + +“Why—why—miss—” + +Dorothy leaned over and steadied the tray. “What’s the matter, +Gretchen?” The little maid was staring at her open-mouthed, her big blue +eyes as round as saucers. + +“Oh, I—I beg your pardon, but it’s—it’s the resemblance, miss—Miss +Jordan.” She set the tray over Dorothy’s knees and drew back still with +that astonished look. “I couldn’t see you very well before, miss, with +the covers up to your eyes. But when you sat up, it sure did give me a +start.” + +“What do you mean, Gretchen? The resemblance to whom?” Dorothy, +outwardly calm, fingered her glass of orange juice, but her thoughts +raced toward this new complication. + +“Why, you look so much like Dorothy Dixon—the flyer, you know, miss. +She’s my hero—I mean, heroine, Miss Jordan. I’ve read everything the +newspapers printed about her and Bill Bolton. You must have read about +them too, everybody has?” + +“Oh, yes, I’ve heard about them.” Dorothy hoped her tone sounded +indifferent. “But you know, Gretchen, newspaper pictures are often very +poor likenesses.” + +The girl smiled and nodded. “I know that, Miss Jordan. I’ve got them all +and there isn’t no two of the pictures that looks alike.” + +“Then how—?” + +“You see, it wasn’t the newspaper pictures I was thinking of, miss, but +Dorothy Dixon herself. You see I know Miss Dixon,” she went on proudly, +“and you two are certainly the spittin’ images of each other, if you +don’t mind my saying so.” + +Dorothy minded very much, but it was not consistent with the part she +was playing to admit it. Here was a contretemps not even Ashton Sanborn +had foreseen. Yet, of course, New Canaan was only ten miles away. She +had many friends in Ridgefield, and she’d been there hundreds of times. +But she simply couldn’t remember having seen Gretchen in any of their +homes. Her answer was but a feeble stall for time. + +“So you know her then?” she said lamely. + +“Oh, yes, miss. Not well, you understand. I saw her and Mr. Bill Bolton +first when they finished the endurance test on the Conway motor this +fall. Then a few days later, I drove over to her house in our +flivver—over to New Canaan, you know, and I called on Miss Dixon. I +wanted her to autograph a picture of herself I’d cut out of the Sunday +paper.” + +“And you met her?” Dorothy remembered the incident perfectly now. But +the maid’s uniform—and her hair—when she had seen her, Gretchen had +worn two braids over her shoulders, very much the schoolgirl. No wonder +she hadn’t recognized her. But now what should she do? Would it be +possible to keep up this camouflage with a girl whom she had met and +with whom she would come in daily contact? Gretchen was talking again. + +“Yes indeed, I met her. And she was just darling to me, Miss Jordan. She +even gave me one of her own photographs and wrote on it, too. You see, +us Schmidts came over from Germany about a hundred years ago, but we’re +honest-to-goodness Americans just the same. Father was in the American +army during the war. He was an aviation mechanic. He found one of them +Iron Crosses of the Germans on some battlefield in France and kept it +for a mascot. And would you believe it, miss, Father never even got +wounded once, the whole time he was over there! Perhaps it was the +little Iron Cross, and perhaps it wasn’t. Anyway, he thought a lot of +his mascot. When I was ten years old, he had it fixed on a thin gold +chain for me to wear around my neck, and gave it to me on my birthday. +Well, when I went to see Miss Dixon this fall, I took it with me. She +goes up in her airplane so much and does so many other exciting things, +I wanted her to have it. She didn’t want to take the cross at first, but +I persuaded her to, just the same. And you don’t know how nice she was +to me, Miss! Took me out to see Will-o-the-Wisp—that’s her plane, you +know—she calls it Wispy for short. And I had a perfectly grand time. +She’s my heroine, all right. And you, miss—I hope you’ll excuse me for +talking so much about it—but you look exactly like her, and your voices +are just the same, too. It’s wonderful!” + +“So you are Margaret Schmidt,” Dorothy said slowly. + +“Yes, miss, that is so, though everybody calls me Gretchen. How did you +know my given name, Miss Jordan? Is Miss Dixon a friend of yours? Did +she tell you about me? But that’s silly—she wouldn’t remember me.” + +Dorothy looked the little maid straight in the eyes. “She remembers you, +Gretchen. Would you be willing to do something for her—to keep a +secret, a very important and maybe a dangerous one? Do you think you +could do it?” + +Gretchen looked awestruck, then she smiled. “Mother says I’m the +closest-mouthed girl she ever saw, miss. They could cut me in pieces +before I ever let out any secret of Dorothy Dixon’s. I’d never tell—not +me! You can trust me, Miss Jordan.” + +“I’m sure I can, Gretchen. And I’m going to.” Dorothy slipped her hand +into the V-neck of her pajamas. “Remember this?” + +“Why—it’s—it’s my Iron Cross—that I gave Dorothy Dixon. How in the +world—?” + +“I am Dorothy Dixon.” Dorothy broke into laughter at the bewildered +expression on the girl’s face. + +“But—but I don’t understand!” Gretchen stammered as though her tongue +was half-paralyzed. “I knew the resemblance was wonderful—but—they +said you were Miss Janet Jordan—and—” + +“You sit down on the end of the bed,” said Dorothy, “I’ll go on with my +breakfast before it gets cold, and explain at the same time. We won’t be +disturbed, will we?” + +“Oh, no, miss.” + +“How about your work, Gretchen? Will you be wanted downstairs?” + +“Mr. Tunbridge told me to unpack your trunk, miss—Miss Dixon—and to +make myself generally useful.” + +“Fine,” smiled Dorothy, pouring out a cup of coffee. “But keep on +calling me Miss Jordan—otherwise you’ll be making slips in the name in +front of other people and that would be fatal.” + +“Yes, Miss Jordan,” Gretchen grinned happily. + +“After this beastly business is over,” Dorothy went on, “we’ll be +Gretchen and Dorothy to each other.” + +The other girl looked a trifle embarrassed. “But I’m only a chambermaid, +Miss Jordan,” she said shyly. + +“Don’t be silly!” Dorothy waved away the argument with a sweep of her +spoon. “You’re proving yourself a real friend—and that’s that.” + +“Very well, Miss Jordan.” + +“Now pin back your ears, Gretchen.” Dorothy lifted the cover from her +scrambled eggs. “I am taking my cousin, Janet Jordan’s place as Mrs. +Lawson’s secretary. Nobody in this house knows who I am except Mr. +Tunbridge, nor must they be given the slightest hint that I am anybody +but Janet Jordan. As you’ve probably guessed, Janet and I look almost +exactly alike. Our mothers were twins and that probably accounts for +it.” + +“Gee—” breathed Gretchen. “It’s just like a story in a book!” + +Dorothy bit into a slice of buttered toast. “Maybe it is,” she admitted, +speaking with her mouth full. “But the point is that you and I are +living this story and it may come to a very abrupt and unpleasant ending +unless we’re both terribly careful. Let’s see—where was I? Oh, yes. Mr. +Tunbridge and I are working together on this case, working for the +United States Government.” + +“Secret Service?” asked Gretchen in an awed whisper. + +“Yes.” + +“Then I’ll be working for the secret service too?” Dorothy could see +that the girl was very much impressed with the idea. + +“You will, Gretchen—that is, you are—under me. But don’t get too +pepped up about it. The work we are on is serious and it is extremely +dangerous into the bargain. I wouldn’t have brought you into it unless I +had to. Right now I haven’t the slightest notion how you are going to be +fitted into the picture. But I couldn’t have you going around, talking +about how much Janet Jordan looks like Dorothy Dixon, could I? Doctor +Winn and the Lawsons have no idea of either the resemblance or the +relationship. If that came out and they got wind of it—well, there’s no +telling what might happen.” + +“Especially,” chimed in Gretchen, “after all the detective work you did +in those three big cases over to New Canaan this summer and fall.” + +“You’ve got it,” declared Dorothy, and sipped her coffee. “A robbery is +being planned here, Gretchen, a robbery of some very valuable papers +from Doctor Winn’s safe. The thieves will probably try to pull it off +tonight. These papers, which have to do with an invention of the +Doctor’s are worth a million dollars or more to any number of people. So +you see the thieves are playing for big stakes, and I might as well tell +you that they aren’t the kind that would let a thing like murder stop +them. And now that you know the facts, are you willing to go on with +it?” + +Gretchen seemed horrified that Dorothy should doubt her. “Oh, Miss +Jordan, I don’t want to get murdered any more than anybody else—but, +I’m not afraid—honest I’m not!” + +“I knew you were true blue,” smiled Dorothy. “So we’ll call it a deal, +shall we?” + +“You bet!” The two girls solemnly shook hands. “What do you want me to +do first, Miss Jordan?” Gretchen asked eagerly. + +“Move this tray onto the chair over there, please. Then while I’m taking +a bath and dressing you might unpack Janet Jordan’s clothes. I’ll choose +something to wear later.” + +“Very good, Miss Jordan.” The little maid took the tray, then stopped +short, her round blue eyes very serious. “But what about the secret +service work?” + +“Just carry on as usual for the present.” Dorothy slipped out of bed. +“And remember—not a word to anyone about what I’ve told you—not even +Mr. Tunbridge. I don’t know myself exactly what I’m to do yet. Mrs. +Lawson expects me downstairs in about half an hour, so I’ve got to +hustle. If I need your help later on, I’ll get word to you somehow.” + +“I hope you will need me, Miss Jordan.” Gretchen was taking Janet’s +frocks from the wardrobe trunk. + +“And I hope I shan’t!” said Dorothy, and she disappeared into the +bathroom. + + + + + Chapter XII + + TESTS + + +Dorothy came down the wide staircase a few minutes before eleven-thirty. +She wore a dark blue morning frock of her cousin’s, its simplicity +relieved only by the soft white collar and deep cuffs. Except for being +rather tight across the shoulders it fitted her as though she had been +poured into it. She had selected this dress because she knew it was just +the sort of thing a new secretary would be expected to wear. + +She crossed the broad hall to the open door of the library, and there +found Mrs. Lawson standing before a window staring into the storm. +Although Dorothy’s footsteps made practically no sound on the thick pile +of the handsome Bokhara rug, the woman turned like a flash at her +entrance. + +“Oh, good morning, Janet.” The frown on her face gave way to a pleasant +smile. “I hope you were comfortable last night. Did you sleep well?” + +“I dropped off as soon as my head touched the pillow,” she answered, +taking Mrs. Lawson’s outstretched hand. Dorothy did not believe in +telling a lie unless it was in a good cause; but when necessary, she +invariably made the lie a good one. + +“I hope the storm didn’t wake you,” smiled Laura, holding Dorothy’s +hand. + +Dorothy did not reply at once. Two long fingers were lightly pressing +her wrist, and she saw that Mrs. Lawson’s eyes had strayed to the +grandfather’s clock in the corner of the room. “Test number one,” she +said to herself. “Mrs. du Val, alias Lawson is counting my pulse. Well, +I’ve got a clear conscience, perhaps I can give her a shock.” She drew +her hand away and answered the woman’s question in her normal voice. +“Oh, the storm! No, I never heard it, Mrs. Lawson. If that hot lemonade +had been drugged, I couldn’t have slept any sounder!” + +“What makes you say that?” snapped her employer, and beneath the velvet +tone, Dorothy sensed the ring of steel. + +She dropped her eyes, and turning toward the open hearth, held out her +hands to the crackling blaze. “Oh, I don’t know,” she said sweetly and +like the clever little strategist that she was, opened her own offensive +in the enemy’s territory. “I have the bad habit of occasionally walking +in my sleep, Mrs. Lawson—and especially when I spend the night in a +strange bed. Perhaps it’s nervousness—I don’t know.” + +Mrs. Lawson threw her a sharp glance. “Sit down, Janet,” she suggested, +pointing to a chair near the fire, and taking one herself across the +hearth. “You’re—I mean, you don’t seem to be at all nervous this +morning.” + +“Good old pulse!” thought Dorothy. Then aloud—“No, I feel splendidly, +thank you. But, you see, I didn’t walk in my sleep last night.” + +“But surely you can’t tell when you do it!” + +“Oh, yes, I can.” Dorothy’s manner and tone were those of the simple +schoolgirl proud of an unusual accomplishment. + +“You don’t expect me to believe that you know what you’re doing when you +walk in your sleep, Janet. That’s impossible!” + +“Not while I’m sleepwalking, Mrs. Lawson. That wasn’t what I said—but +when I have been sleepwalking—there’s a difference, you see?” + +“Well?” The lady of the house objected to being contradicted and took no +trouble to hide it. + +“It’s really very simple,” explained Dorothy, painstakingly, as though +she were speaking to a rather stupid child. “I found out how to do it. +You see, I’ve been walking in my sleep ever since I was a little thing. +When I get in bed at night I leave my slippers on the floor beside it +pointed outward—away from the bed. We all leave them that way, I guess. +It’s the natural thing to do.” + +“But what have slippers got to do with it?” Laura was becoming +impatient. + +“Everything, so far as I’m concerned, Mrs. Lawson. When I’ve been +walking at night, I always find them in the morning beside the bed, but +pointing _toward_ it. I evidently slip them off before I get back into +bed, and—” + +“I’m beginning to think you are quite a clever girl, Janet.” + +“Oh, thank you,” said Dorothy with a guilelessness that was sheer +camouflage. “Has anybody been saying I’m stupid? I’ve always stood high +in my classes at school.” + +“Oh, not stupid, child—but nervous—perhaps a little unbalanced, +especially this past week.” + +Dorothy raised her heavy lashes and looked Mrs. Lawson squarely in the +face. This might be a test she was undergoing and it probably was; but +here was a heaven sent chance to stir up discord in the enemy’s camp. +She must work up to it gradually. + +“I know that I was nervous and upset past all endurance.” She leaned +forward, her hands on the arms of the chair. “How would you like your +father to lock you in your bedroom for a week, without ever coming to +see you, or giving you any explanation for such outrageous treatment? Am +I a child to be handled like that? To be shipped up here to strangers, +whether I wanted to go or not? How would you feel about it, Mrs. Lawson, +if you were me? Don’t say you would submit to it sitting down.” + +“But I am taking you on as my secretary,” the lady hedged. “Offering you +a good position for which you’ll be paid twenty dollars a week. That’s +not to be thought of lightly, especially in these times.” + +“But it doesn’t seem to strike you that I might like to have something +to say about it,” Dorothy replied calmly. “As for the salary—that’s no +inducement. My mother left me five thousand a year. I came into the +income on my last birthday, so you see I have nearly a hundred dollars a +week, whether I work or not.” + +“I didn’t know that, of course,” Mrs. Lawson admitted and none too +graciously. “Your father wants you to be here while he’s away. I hope +you aren’t going to be difficult, Janet.” + +“I hope not, Mrs. Lawson. I shall be glad to stay here for a while and +do the work you’d planned for me; but if I do, it must be as a guest and +not as a paid dependant.” + +“But you are a guest, Janet.” + +“I shall not accept a salary, Mrs. Lawson.” + +“Very well, my dear, if you wish it that way.” + +“Thank you very much.” + +“To get back to our former topic,” Mrs. Lawson said, and lit a +cigarette. “I can understand that your father’s conduct in confining you +to your room might be exasperating—but why should it make you nervous? +And my husband tells me that when he visited you in your room you acted +as though you were in deadly fear of something or somebody every time he +saw you. What was the trouble, Janet? Was anything worrying you?” + +“Yes, there was, Mrs. Lawson.” + +Dorothy looked down at the andirons, and her hands on the chair arms +twisted embarrassedly. From the corner of her eye she saw a smile of +satisfaction light up the older woman’s face. She knew she was playing +with fire and that Mrs. Lawson was watching her as a hawk watches its +defenseless prey before it strikes. But all unknown to her inquisitor, +Dorothy had been leading her into this trap as a move forward in her own +game. Genuine dislike for the woman as well as a mischievous impulse on +her part drew her to make the scene as dramatic and convincing as +possible. + +“Yes—I—I—was afraid,” she went on, dragging out the words slowly. + +“Then don’t you think you’d better tell me about it, Janet? I’m nearly +old enough to be your mother. Let me take your mother’s place, dear. +Give me your confidence. I feel sure I’ll be able to help you, child.” + +This reference to Janet’s dead mother by a woman who was the vilest kind +of a hypocrite swept away Dorothy’s last compunction. She herself was +going to commit justifiable libel. Mrs. Lawson, on the other hand, was +attempting to lead Janet Jordan into a confession of shamming sleep at +the fateful meeting a week ago. And such a confession meant a sentence +of death from this beautiful siren who gazed at her so winningly, who +puffed a cigarette so nonchalantly while she waited for an unsuspecting +girl to commit herself. + +“Well, I don’t know—I can’t help hesitating to tell _you_, Mrs. +Lawson,” Dorothy began timidly. + +“There’s no need to be afraid of anything,” replied the woman, only half +veiling the sneer that went with the words. + +“Oh, but you see, there is, Mrs. Lawson!” Dorothy’s manner was still +indecisive. “I don’t want—in fact, I hate awfully to hurt you this +way.” + +“Hurt me!” Mrs. Lawson’s cigarette snapped into the fireplace like a +miniature comet. “Hurt me, child? What in the wide world are you talking +about?” + +“Just what I say, Mrs. Lawson.” + +Mrs. Lawson sniffed. “Don’t be ridiculous, Janet. Out with it now. What +did you fear when you were locked in your room?” + +“Your husband, Mrs. Lawson.” + +“My husband!” + +“Yes.” + +“But—why—I don’t believe you.” + +“Oh, very well. You asked the question, I was trying to answer it, +that’s all.” + +Mrs. Lawson bit her lip. She was furious. “As long as you’ve said what +you have, you’d better go on with it,” she said acidly. + +“There isn’t any more,” returned Dorothy. “That’s all there is.” + +“But surely he must have given you reasons for your assertion.” Mrs. +Lawson had walked beautifully into Dorothy’s trap. Her own plan to snare +an unsuspecting girl had been blotted out by the shadow of the Green +Goddess, Jealousy. “Tell me what my husband did or said to make you fear +him, and tell me at once.” + +“It wasn’t what he did, Mrs. Lawson—it was the way he looked.” + +“What do you mean—the way he looked?” + +Dorothy had thrust a painful knife into the mental cosmos of her +adversary. Now she deliberately turned it in the wound. “Very probably,” +she said quietly, looking her straight in the eyes, “you can remember +how Mr. Lawson looked when he first made love to you. I don’t want to be +made love to, and I don’t like _him_, Mrs. Lawson.” + +“What did you do?” + +“I told him to leave me—and when he would not go, I simply walked into +my bathroom and locked the door.” + +“But what happened the next time he came? Martin went in to see you +every day, didn’t he?” + +“He did. But he talked to me through the bathroom door. Just as soon as +I heard the key turn in the lock I’d hop in there.” + +The man she had been talking about must have been listening just outside +in the hall, for now he strode into the room and up to Dorothy. “That,” +he said menacingly, “is a deliberate lie, Miss Janet Jordan!” + + + + + Chapter XIII + + WINNITE + + +Dorothy looked up and smiled carelessly at the man. “You’re very polite, +Mr. Lawson. Perhaps it isn’t my place to say it to a man old enough to +be my father—but eavesdroppers rarely hear good of themselves.” + +Martin Lawson, who prided himself upon his youthful appearance, grew +angrier than ever. “I—I won’t stand for such outrageous libel,” he +thundered. “I’ve always treated you as though you were my own—well, +daughter, if you like.” + +“I _don’t_ like it, Mr. Lawson—but that doesn’t make any difference,” +Dorothy’s tone was one of pained acceptance. “If you listened long +enough, you will know that I didn’t bring this matter up myself. Mrs. +Lawson was asking questions and I was trying to answer them, that’s all. +If you prefer it, I’ll say that it was the wind whistling outside the +windows that made me afraid.” She looked over at Mrs. Lawson, who was +watching them through half shut eyes, as though to say, “—you +understand, of course—anything for peace.” + +Martin Lawson intercepted the glance and became even more furious, if +that were possible. “You—you little viper!” he snarled. “Laura, don’t +you believe a word of it. The whole thing’s her own invention—a pack of +lies!” + +“A silly schoolgirl fancy, if you like, Martin.” Laura Lawson’s tone was +expressionless. “But I can understand it just the same. Yes, I can +understand it.” + +“What do you mean—you understand it?” + +“I was a girl once myself,” she replied in the same colorless tone. “And +then, you see, I know you very, very well.” + +“Oh, you do, do you?” + +“He’s off again,” sighed Dorothy, but quite to herself. + +“And you have the nerve to insinuate—?” the angry man went on, beside +himself with rage. “You know as well as I do, Laura, that this girl was +afraid because of what she saw and heard at the meeting. She—” + +“That will be quite enough, Martin.” His wife interrupted him sharply. +“And what is more—you probably have not noticed that since Janet has +been here and with other people, she is very much herself—and afraid of +nothing at all.” + +“What meeting is he talking about, Mrs. Lawson?” Dorothy pointedly +ignored the angry husband. + +Mrs. Lawson stood up. “Never mind that now,” she decreed, albeit +pleasantly. “Come along with me to my office. I have some typing I’d +like you to do for me before luncheon. Martin!” She swung round on her +husband. “You will wait here for me. I’ll be back in a few minutes—I +want to talk to you.” She slipped her arm through Dorothy’s and drew her +from the room. + +Once in the entrance hall, she led her back and under the gallery to a +corridor which opened at the right of the broad stairs. Dorothy saw that +there were several doors in the right hand wall. Mrs. Lawson stopped at +the second of these and opened it. + +They walked in and Dorothy saw that they were in the office. It seemed +very businesslike and austere after coming from the luxury of the +library and spacious hall. Near the one window stood a broad table desk, +and opposite that a typewriter desk. Two steel filing cabinets and three +plain chairs completed the room’s furnishings. The walls were hung with +framed blueprints and a large-scale map of Fairfield County, +Connecticut. + +Mrs. Lawson took some papers from a drawer in the large desk and handed +them to Dorothy. “This is in longhand, as you see,” she explained, +“please type it, double space, and I’d like to have a carbon copy.” She +glanced at a small wrist-watch set with diamonds. “It is just noon now. +Luncheon is at one. Do you think you can finish the work by that time?” + +Dorothy glanced at the manuscript. “This won’t make more than four +typewritten sheets. I can do it easily in an hour and have time to +spare.” + +“Good!” The older woman patted her lightly on the shoulder. “Take your +time about it. Do you think you can read my handwriting?” + +“Nothing could be plainer, Mrs. Lawson.” Dorothy smiled back at her. + +“Very well, then. I’ll see you at lunch. The dining room is across the +hall from the library.” + +At the door, she stopped and turned as though she had just remembered +something. + +“Don’t let what my husband said bother you, Janet.” + +“That’s forgotten already,” Dorothy said easily. + +“Like most men, he flies off the handle when irritated. Pay no attention +to it.” + +“I understand.” + +Mrs. Lawson hesitated for the fraction of a second. “By the way, Janet,” +she remarked. “When was the last time you walked in your sleep—that you +found your slippers pointed toward your bed in the morning?” + +Dorothy pretended to think. “Let me see,” she said slowly. “Yes—it was +the night before Daddy locked me in my room! I found that I couldn’t get +out in the morning, and naturally, I wanted to know the reason why. I +still do, for that matter. Except for some foolishness about my being +ill, I’m still waiting for an explanation. As a matter of fact, I was +perfectly well. I’m terribly annoyed, of course, and it worries me to +think that Daddy should act this way, but so far as my health goes, I’ve +never felt better.” + +“I’m glad to hear it, dear. We’ll check up on your father when he +returns. I’m your friend, you know. Don’t let the matter prey on your +mind.” + +“Thank you, Mrs. Lawson. I’ll try to do as you say.” Dorothy thought she +was going then, but it seemed that the woman had still another question +that she had been holding back. + +“When you are in this somnambulistic state,” she said, “when you are +sleepwalking, I mean, doesn’t it terrify you to awaken and find yourself +out of your bed?” + +Dorothy frowned and seemed puzzled. “Perhaps it would,” she admitted. +“But then, you see, I can’t remember ever wakening while I was walking +during the night. I must sleep very soundly. At school the night +watchman or one of the teachers would frequently find me walking about +the building. They would lead me back to bed, or just tell me to go +there, and I would always obey. Until they told me about it next day, I +knew nothing of course. That’s how I got onto the business of the +slippers, you see.” + +“Oh, yes. I wondered how you’d been able to check on it. Well, I must +trot along now and let you get to work. Until luncheon then, my dear.” + +She was gone at last and Dorothy made a face at the closed door. “Of all +the plausible hypocrites I’ve ever met,” she muttered, “you certainly +take the well known chocolate cake!” + +She sat down at the typewriter desk, pulled out the machine, and slipped +in two sheets of paper and a carbon that she found in one of the +drawers. Halfway through a perusal of Mrs. Lawson’s first page, she +looked up. The door opened quickly and Mr. Tunbridge came into the room. + +“I’ve just a moment,” he prefaced hurriedly. “They mustn’t find me here. +What was the row in the library?” + +Dorothy explained briefly. + +“Fine! Put you through the hoops, eh? I had a good idea she would do +something of the kind. You came out of a difficult situation with flying +colors, I take it. But be careful about run-ins with Lawson. He’s a +slick article—in fact, the two of them are a pair of the slickest +articles it’s ever been my misfortune to run across. And they’re going +it hammer and tongs in the library right now. I was a bit worried about +you, that’s why I took this chance.” + +“When do I get my instructions for tonight?” + +“Late this afternoon, probably. I’ll get them to you somehow.” + +“Thanks. And here’s something else. This script I’m going to type for +Mrs. L. has to do with the properties of a highly explosive gas which +seems to burn up everything it comes in contact with and lets off fumes +of deadly poison while it’s doing that! Shall I make a copy for you?” + +“Please do!” His hand rested on the doorknob. “Yes, it’s important that +we have a copy. That’s the stuff Doctor Winn has just invented, without +a doubt.” + +“Awful!” exclaimed Dorothy. “Just think what would happen if that were +used in a war!” + +“That’s the government’s business, Miss Dixon.” + +“‘Ours but to do—and die—’” she quoted and her tone was deadly +serious. + +“Quite right. But make the carbon copy just the same—and don’t let them +catch you at it.” + +“I won’t, Mr. Tunbridge.” + +“Bye-bye, then. I’ll get along now. There may be some home truths +floating out of the library that will give me extra dope on the +du-Val—Lawson pair.” + +The door closed, and after slipping an extra carbon and a sheet of very +thin copy paper into the typewriter, Dorothy read Mrs. Lawson’s treatise +on “Winnite and Its Properties” from start to finish. + +“Horrible!” she murmured, as she finished reading. “Simply horrible!” +Again her eyes sought the last paragraph. “The effect is easily +estimated of an airplane dropping a single bomb filled with the +explosive, inflammable and deadly poison gas, Winnite, upon Manhattan +Island, for instance: the bomb would explode upon detonation and within +an inconceivably short space of time, not only would the City of Greater +New York be in flames, but every living thing within that area would be +dead from the poison fumes. This includes not only human, animal and +insect life, but all vegetable matter as well.” + +Dorothy sighed. “And I am supposed to help keep this terrible stuff from +the hands of thieves so that our government may use it in time of war. +Well—we’ll see—and that’s not that by a long shot!” + +She put down the manuscript and began to type it. + + + + + Chapter XIV + + PROFESSOR + + +Dorothy, upon finishing the article on Winnite, laid the original and +first carbon copy of the typewritten sheets on Mrs. Lawson’s desk. The +almost transparent sheets of the second carbon copy she folded carefully +as though she meant to place them in an envelope. But instead of this, +her right foot slipped out of its walking pump, the sheer silk stocking +followed it. Then she put on the stocking again, but now the soft papers +rested between the stocking and the sole of her foot. The pump fitted +more snugly than before, although not uncomfortably so. Content with her +morning’s work, she had closed the typewriter and was studying the +effect of a new shade of powder in her compact mirror when Mrs. Lawson +came into the room. + +“I take it you’ve finished the work?” + +“The original and copy are beside the longhand manuscript on your desk,” +said Dorothy, toning down her efforts with the puff. “I’ve read it over +and I don’t think you’ll find any mistakes.” + +Mrs. Lawson ran her eyes over the typewritten sheets. “They are without +a fault,” she declared, placing them in a drawer. “If you take dictation +as accurately as you type, Janet, you’ll be the perfect secretary.” + +“Thank you,” said Dorothy demurely and slipped the compact into the +pocket of her frock. “It is very nice of you to say that.” + +“Then we’ll go in to luncheon, shall we? That is, if you’re ready?” + +Dorothy stood up. “Quite ready, Mrs. Lawson, and good and hungry, too.” + +“Splendid!” enthused her hostess, as they walked down the corridor +toward the entrance hall. “Doctor Winn declares this Connecticut Ridge +country is the most healthful section of the United States. And even if +some people have other ideas on the subject, I can testify that it is a +great appetite builder.” + +Dorothy smiled, but said nothing. She was wondering how healthful she +was going to find this particular spot in the Ridge country after what +she had to do tonight. + +“Doctor Winn always lunches in his study,” continued Mrs. Lawson. “That +is the room just beyond my office. My husband has been called to New +York on business. He won’t be back until after dinner tonight, so we +will be alone at luncheon.” + +For some reason of her own, Laura Lawson had become affability itself. +And for this Dorothy gave thanks. That she disliked this truly beautiful +creature was only natural. But it is much more pleasant to lunch with a +person who puts herself out to be charming and affable, no matter what +your private opinion of the other’s character may be. + +The dining room proved to be a low-ceiled apartment paneled in white +pine; heavy beams of the satin-finished wood overhead, and on the walls +several colorful landscapes in oils, evidently the works of artists who +knew and loved this Ridge country. A cheerful log fire burned brightly +on the open hearth beneath a high mantelpiece. Outside, the heavy snow +continued to drive past frosted window-panes, but within all was warmth +and coziness. + +Dorothy enjoyed the meal thoroughly. Like most girls, she revelled in +luxury when it came her way. Not only was her hostess an interesting and +entertaining conversationalist, the delicious food served by Tunbridge +and a second man in plum-colored knee breeches, added materially to her +pleasure. She was really sorry when the butler lighted his mistress’ +cigarette and Mrs. Lawson rose from the table. + +“I have no work for you this afternoon, Janet,” said the lady, as they +strolled into the spacious hall with its suits of polished armor and +trophies of war and the chase decorating the walls. “I have some work to +complete with Doctor Winn, so I won’t be free to entertain you. There +are periodicals and novels in the library. If it weren’t such a beastly +day, I would suggest a walk.” + +“Oh, I don’t mind a snowstorm!” Dorothy smiled at her. “I’d love to be +out in it for a while.” + +“But I’m afraid you might get lost. The blizzard is driving out of the +northeast—and that means something in this country. You’ll find it more +disagreeable than you think.” + +“I’m not afraid to walk in a blizzard,” Dorothy argued, “we used to do +it a lot at school—I love it.” + +“Oh, very well, then,” went on Mrs. Lawson. “I used to enjoy that sort +of thing myself. Somebody had better go with you, though. Let me see—” +She hesitated. “Oh, yes—Gretchen will be just the person. She’s a nice +little thing—a native of Ridgefield, you know. Gretchen can show you +round the place, and there’ll be no chance of your getting lost.” + +Dorothy was amused by this pretended concern for her safety. She knew +that Mrs. Lawson feared she might take it into her head to walk to the +railroad station and board the first train back to town. Gretchen as +guide and chaperone would be able to forestall anything like that. Mrs. +Lawson was not yet sure of the new secretary! + +Dorothy’s features betrayed no sign of her thoughts. “That will be ever +so much pleasanter than going alone,” she agreed. “Gretchen seems to be +a sweet girl. I saw her this morning when she brought my breakfast and +unpacked my clothes. I’m sorry, though, that you can’t come too.” +Deception, she found, was becoming a habit when treating with her +hostess. + +“Thank you, my dear—I’m sorry, too.” Mrs. Lawson went toward the +tasselled bell rope that hung beside the fireplace. “Run upstairs now +and get into warm things. I’ll ring for Gretchen and have her meet you +down here in quarter of an hour.” + +Fifteen minutes afterward, warmly dressed in whipcord jodhpurs, a heavy +sweater and knee-length leather coat of dark green, Dorothy came out of +her room onto the gallery, pulling a white wool skating cap well down +over her ears. With a white wool scarf twisted about her throat, the +long ends thrown back over her shoulders, she looked ready for any +winter sport as she ran lightly down the stairs, the rubber soles of her +high arctics making no sound on the broad oaken steps. + +Gretchen, well bundled up in sweater and heavy tweed skirt was waiting +for her. + +“You certainly do look like a picture on a Christmas magazine cover, +Miss Jordan,” the girl exclaimed, while they walked to the front door. +“I’m glad you’ve got warm gauntlets. It’s mighty cold out—you’ll need +them.” + +Dorothy laughed gaily and swung open the door. “Nothing could be more +becoming than your own costume, Gretchen. That light blue skating set is +just the color of your eyes.” + +“That,” chuckled Gretchen, “is the real reason I bought it.” + +They were outside now and standing under the wide porte-cochere of glass +and wrought iron. + +“It’s glorious out here, and not too cold, either.” Dorothy sniffed the +sharp air enthusiastically. “I hate staying indoors on a wild day like +this. Look at those big flakes spinning down and sideslipping into the +drifts. It makes one glad to be alive.” + +“You said it, Miss Jordan. I love it myself—though I never thought of +snowflakes being like airplanes before. Which way do you want to go?” + +“You’re the leader, Gretchen. Anywhere you say suits me.” + +“Then let’s tramp over to the pond, Miss Jordan. The ice ought to be +holding. We’ll stop at the garage and fetch a broom along. There’s too +much snow for skating, but we might make a slide.” + +“That will be fun,” agreed Dorothy, as they came down the steps and +swung along the white expanse of driveway. “I haven’t done anything like +that since I was a kid. How far’s the pond from here?” + +“About half a mile. Doctor Winn owns several hundred acres. It’s down +yonder in a hollow. This time of year when the trees are bare, you can +see it plainly from the house. Today there’s too much snow.” + +“There certainly is plenty of it!” Dorothy was ploughing through the +fluffy white mass nearly up to her knees. “A good eighteen inches must +have fallen already and it’s drifting fast. If it doesn’t stop by +tonight, Winncote will be snowed in for a while. What’s that building +over there, Gretchen—gray stone, isn’t it?” + +“That’s the laboratory, miss. It’s really a wing of the house. The +stables are just beyond, but this storm’s so thick, it blots them out. +Well, here we are at the garage. If you’ll wait a minute, I’ll step +inside and get a broom.” + +“Get two if you can,” suggested Dorothy. “Then we’ll both get some +exercise, and they’ll come in handy while we’re getting through the +drifts.” + +“I’ll do my best,” said Gretchen. She disappeared through a door in the +side of the building. + +Dorothy looked about her. Rolling clouds of windswept snowflakes made it +impossible to see objects more than a few yards away with any +distinctness. The dark shadow of low clouds painted the white of her +landscape a cold, dull gray. But she noticed, as she waited, that the +storm was driving in gusts, that occasionally there would be a short +lull when the sun, tinging the sky with rose and yellow, seemed fighting +to break its way through to this white-blanketed world. Then Gretchen, a +broom in each hand, joined her. + +“Whew! that place was stuffy,” she said, handing one of the brooms to +Dorothy, and starting ahead at right angles from the way they had come. +“Hanley made a fuss giving me two—he would! It’s a wonder the cars +don’t melt in there. He keeps the place like an oven. All the help from +the city is like that. They can’t seem to get warm enough, and the way +they hate fresh air is a caution! I roomed with Sadie, the other +chambermaid, when I first came, and you won’t believe it, but that girl +had nailed our window shut so it couldn’t be opened! I spoke to Mr. +Tunbridge next morning, and he gave me a room of my own. I always did +like Mr. Tunbridge. He’s a real gentleman, he is.” + +They forged ahead through the drifts to the crossfire of Gretchen’s +light chatter, and Dorothy was given a series of entertaining stories +concerning the habits of the Winncote servants and their life +below-stairs. It was rough going with the storm in their faces, and +Gretchen eventually ceased her gossiping from sheer lack of breath. The +ground began to slope gently downward, and finally they came to a belt +of trees in a hollow. Fifty yards farther on, a broad expanse of white +marked the extent of Winncote Pond beneath its thick, flat quilt of +snow. + +“Think the ice will hold?” Dorothy walked to the brink of the little +lake. “I’d hate to go in on a day like this.” + +“Oh, that’s all right. I was down here for an hour yesterday afternoon +with my skates before the snow began, and it was much warmer then. The +ice was wonderful—slick as glass and solid as a rock.” + +By dint of considerable exercise they cleared two narrow paths that ran +parallel across the ice. Then they commenced a series of sliding +contests, each girl on her own ice track. Starting at a line in the snow +a few yards above the low bank, they would race forward to the brink and +shoot out on the ice, vying with each other to see who could slide the +farthest. There were several tumbles at first, but the deep snow along +the sides of the tracks prevented bad bumps. Soon, however, they both +became adepts at the sport. Dorothy, aided by her extra weight, for she +was at least twenty pounds heavier than little Gretchen, invariably won. + +After a half an hour of this rather violent sport, they cleared the snow +from a fallen tree trunk and sat down for a rest. Here in the hollow, +surrounded by trees, the wind lost a great deal of its force. But the +snow continued to fall unabated, and their hot breath clouded like steam +in the cold air. Their cheeks were tingling crimson from the racing, and +both felt in high good spirits. + +“I can’t understand why so many rich people go south every winter,” +Gretchen said earnestly. “I wouldn’t miss out on this fun—the snow and +the skating, tobogganing—for anything in the world.” + +“People like that,” decreed Dorothy, “just don’t know how to live. You +can have lots of fun in summer, of course. I don’t know which I love the +best. But this sort of thing makes you feel just grand. It certainly put +the pep into—.” She stopped short and sprang to her feet. From +somewhere close by and seemingly below her, had come a low, moaning +sound. + +Gretchen jumped up. Her doll-like face with its round, blue eyes took on +a look of startled wonder. “What was that?” she cried. “It sounded as if +I—as if I was sitting on it!” + +Again came the low cry in a weird, minor key. + +“You were. It’s coming from the inside of this log. An animal of some +kind.” + +“Why, I guess you’re right. Whatever it is, the thing gave me the +heebie-jeebies for a minute.” + +The snow had drifted over the butt of the half-rotted tree. Dorothy took +her broom and swept it clear. + +“The log’s hollow!” she exclaimed and bent down. “Yes, there’s something +in there—I can see its eyes—come here, Gretchen! You can see for +yourself.” + +“Not me!” declared that young woman. “I don’t want to get bit—I mean, +bitten, miss.” + +“Oh, never mind the grammar.” Dorothy was almost standing on her head, +trying to get a better view. “But do cut out the polite trimmings when +we’re alone. You’re Gretchen and I’m Dorothy—savez?” + +“All right—Dorothy. But please be careful. That thing may jump out at +you.” + +“I wish it would. Then I’d know what it is. And whatever it is, the +animal in there can’t be much bigger than a rabbit. The hole isn’t wide +enough.” + +“Maybe it is a rabbit.” Gretchen came nearer. + +“Did you ever hear a rabbit make a noise like that?” Dorothy’s tone was +disdainful. + +“Then—maybe it’s a wildcat!” said Gretchen fearfully. + +“Well, if it is, it’s a small one. Here, puss—puss. The silly thing is +too far in to reach. She just blinks at me.” + +“Perhaps she’s hurt and crawled in there to die, Dorothy.” + +“Aren’t you cheerful! She probably crawled in there to get out of the +storm, and is half-frozen, poor thing.” + +“Well, I don’t know what we’re going to do about it,” sighed Gretchen, +still keeping her distance. + +Once more the low moan came from the log, but now that the end was free +from snow, the sound was much clearer. + +“That’s no wildcat, either!” Dorothy twisted her head, first to the +right, then to the left, in an attempt to get a better light on the +log’s occupant. “There’s too much of a whine in that cry. The thing’s +probably a young fox. How does one call a fox, Gretchen? I’m hanged if I +know.” + +“Nor me, neither, Dorothy. It’s the first time I’ve ever heard of +anybody wanting to call one.” + +They both laughed. “You don’t seem to know much about foxes,” teased +Dorothy. “Didn’t you ever see a fox?” + +“No. But my father says the way they steal eggs and suck them is a +caution.” + +“Well,” admitted Dorothy, “we can’t stand around here all day, trying to +get frozen foxes out of hollow logs. I’ll try whistling, and you can +make a noise like a sucked egg. If that doesn’t work, we’ll have to +leave him in his lair.” With a wink at the giggling Gretchen, she bent +down again and whistled shrilly. “Here, boy!” she called. “Come on out +to your mama!” + +There was a scrambling noise within the log, and Gretchen started for +the pond. + +“Oh, be careful, Dorothy! Do be careful!” she cried, as she saw her +friend gather a small creature into her arms. “What is it, anyway—is it +a fox?” + +“No, a first cousin.” Dorothy shook the ends of her wool scarf free from +snow and wrapped them around the small animal. + +“A first cousin?” Gretchen came nearer. “What in the world do you mean +by that?” + +“Come and take a look,” her friend invited. “He won’t bite you, will +you, boy?” + +Gretchen saw her pat a little black nose that poked its way out of the +scarf. A long pointed head, brindle and white, in which were set two +snapping black eyes, followed the nose. “Why, why, it’s a fox terrier—a +fox terrier puppy!” she gasped. “How do you suppose he ever came to +crawl into that log?” + +Dorothy patted the dog’s head. “Got lost in the storm, I guess. The poor +little chap can’t be over three months old. Does he belong up at the +house?” + +“No, he doesn’t. What’s more, none of the people who live around here +have a fox terrier pup that I know of.” + +Dorothy examined the pup’s front paws, but did so very gently. “This +little man has come a long way.” She covered him again. “The bottom of +his feet show it. They’re cut and badly swollen. And he’s half-frozen +and starved into the bargain, I’ll bet. Let’s go back to the house and +make him comfortable.” + +“I’ll carry the brooms,” said Gretchen. “You have an armful, with him. +By the way, you’re going to keep him, aren’t you?” + +“Surest thing you know! That is, unless someone comes to claim him.” + +They trudged off through the trees and up the hill, Gretchen shouldering +the brooms. + +“What are you going to call him?” she asked, after a while. + +“What do you think?” + +“Why, I don’t know. Wait a minute, though—there’s a girl who lives over +in Silvermine named Dorothea Gutmann. Daddy sometimes does work for her +father. Dorothea has a fox terrier pup and she calls him ‘Professor.’ Do +you know why?” + +“I give up,” said Dorothy, floundering through the snow beside her. “Why +does Dorothea Gutmann call her fox terrier pup Professor?” + +“Because,” smiled Gretchen in delight, “he just about ate up a +dictionary!” + +Dorothy laughed merrily, and hugged the warm little bundle in her arms. +“And when you’ve got outside a lot of words like that, even a pup would +know as much as the average professor, I s’pose.” + +“That’s the way Dorothea thought about it. I’ve been over to the +Gutmanns a couple of times with Daddy and her dog looks enough like +yours to be a twin!” + +“We run into doubles nowadays, every day!” Dorothy chuckled. “First it’s +Janet and me who can’t be told apart. Then it’s Dorothea’s dog and mine. +I know her, too, by the way. She’s in the New Canaan Junior High. But I +haven’t seen her puppy. Our names are almost alike, too, but not quite, +thank goodness. If any more of this double identity business comes +along, I’ll just have to give up. A girl’s got to have some sort of a +personality all her own, you know.” + +“I wouldn’t let that worry me,” said Gretchen. “There’s only one Dorothy +Dixon, after all.” + +“Thanks for those kind words, Gretchen. That’s really very sweet of you, +though. If the pup was a lady, I’d call him ‘Gretchen’. Since he isn’t, +‘Professor’ will do very nicely. We’ll try him on a dictionary when we +get home, that is, after he’s had some nice warm bread and milk, and a +good sleep.” + +“If,” smiled Gretchen, “what you said just now was meant for a +compliment—well, I’m glad Professor is not a lady. You’d better go on +to the house, while I drop these brooms in here at the garage. I’ll come +to your room just as soon as I can slip into my uniform, and I’ll bring +up the bread and milk.” + +“I always knew you were a dear,” said Dorothy, and she continued to push +her way on toward the house. + + + + + Chapter XV + + TEA AND ORDERS + + +After she had changed her clothes and fed the famished pup with a bowl +of warm milk and bread, Dorothy took him down to the library. Gretchen +brought a small open basket and a blanket and they made him a bed near +the open fire. Professor promptly went to sleep, and his mistress curled +up in a deep chair beside him, reading and dozing for the rest of the +afternoon. To amuse Gretchen, she had placed a dictionary near the +basket, to see if Professor would follow his double’s example and so +justify his name. When he awoke, however, about four o’clock, he merely +jumped out of his bed on to the book, and up to Dorothy’s lap, where he +went to sleep again. + +“Good ole pup!” Dorothy rubbed his smooth, warm head between his ears. +“You show your intelligence by using the dictionary as a stepping stone +to better things, don’t you, Prof!” + +She yawned, closed her book, and promptly went to sleep again herself. + +She awoke with a start, to find Mrs. Lawson smiling down at her. +Tunbridge was laying the tea-things on a table at the other side of the +fire. “Well, my dear,” the lady said, her eyes on the fox terrier, “I +see you’ve found a new friend.” + +“Oh, yes, isn’t he just too darling? I found him out in the blizzard, he +was half frozen and almost starved!” She went on to tell Mrs. Lawson +about it. + +“I’m afraid I’m not very fond of animals, Janet.” Dorothy noticed that +she did not attempt to touch the puppy. “I don’t dislike them, you +understand, but somehow they never seem to like me.” + +“That’s too bad,” said Dorothy. “I do hope you won’t mind my keeping +him—at least until we learn who his owner is?” + +Laura Lawson looked doubtful. “Well, I don’t mind. But—this is Doctor +Winn’s house, you know, and his decision, after all, is the one that +counts. You will have to ask him about keeping the dog, Janet.” + +“Is Doctor Winn going to have tea with us, Mrs. Lawson?” + +“He most certainly is, my dear. That is, if you ladies will pour him a +cup.” + +Dorothy glanced up, and beside her stood an old gentleman, very tall and +spare, but bowed with the weight of his years. She knew that the +scientist was well over eighty. Catching up the fox terrier, she rose to +her feet. + +“How do you do, Doctor Winn?” She smiled and offered him her hand. + +The old gentleman bent over it with courtly grace. “Good afternoon, Miss +Janet Jordan. Welcome to Winncote.” Merry gray eyes twinkled at her from +behind pince-nez attached to a broad black ribbon. An aristocrat of the +old school, Dorothy thought, as she studied his handsome, clean shaven +face crisscrossed with the tiny wrinkles of advanced age. She had +imagined him to be quite a different sort of person. His next words +proved that he read her thoughts. + +“You expected to see a musty old fellow, with a long white beard, +wearing a smock stained by chemicals, eh?” He chuckled softly. “Now, +tell me, young lady, isn’t that so? Though I admit these flannel slacks +and old Norfolk jacket are hardly fashionable habiliments when one is +taking tea with ladies!” + +He released her hand and smiled a greeting to Mrs. Lawson. The second +footman, he of the plum-colored knee-breeches, set the tea table before +that young matron, under the supervision of the stately Tunbridge. + +Dorothy liked this gallant old scientist and his courtly ways. Her own +eyes sparkled gaily back at him. “Yes, you did surprise me, Doctor +Winn,” she confessed. “Please don’t think I’m being forward, but—but +you seem much more like the English fox-hunting squires I’ve read about, +than the world-renowned chemist you really are, with stacks of letters +after your name. But ever so much nicer, and jollier, you know!” + +Doctor Winn beamed. “Now that, my dear, is a most charming compliment. +Old fellows like me aren’t used to compliments from young ladies, +either. Do sit down again, please, and tell me how you like Winncote and +our New England snowstorms. We old people need young folks around. I can +see that we are going to be good friends.” + +He sat down in a chair the butler drew up for him. + +“Mrs. Lawson will tell you,” replied Dorothy, “that I love it out here +in the country.” She accepted a cup of tea from Tunbridge and added +sugar and a slice of lemon. The butler was followed by his liveried +assistant, bearing silver platters of hot, buttered scones and tiny iced +cakes. Professor immediately began to show interest in the proceedings. +Dorothy held him firmly out of harm’s way, and placed her tea and +eatables on the broad arm of her chair. + +Mrs. Lawson looked up from her place behind the shining silver and old +china of the tea table. She smiled graciously. “Oh, yes, Janet loves +blizzards, too, Doctor Winn. She went out for a walk this afternoon and +acquired a fox terrier puppy, as you see.” + +“And naturally, she wants to keep him.” The old gentleman leaned forward +in his chair, the better to look at Professor. “You certainly may, +Janet. And by the way, I hope you’ll agree that it’s an old man’s +privilege to call you by your first name?” + +“Oh, that is sweet of you!” Dorothy cried delightedly, and the Doctor’s +chuckle echoed her pleasure. + +“The dog’s got a fine head—a very fine head, indeed. If anybody +advertises for him, or comes to claim him, I’ll take pleasure in buying +the puppy for you.” + +“Why, you’re nicer every minute,” declared Dorothy. “Isn’t he, +Professor?” + +The pup yawned with great indifference, which set all three of them +laughing. His mistress put him in his blanket where he promptly curled +up and fell into slumber once more. + +“I sadly fear,” said Doctor Winn, as he polished his pince-nez with a +white silk handkerchief, “that you are a good deal of a flirt Janet. But +inasmuch as I am old enough to be your grandfather, or +great-grandfather, for that matter, you are pardoned with a reprimand.” +He chuckled deep in his throat, a habit he had when pleased. “Now tell +me, how you happened to find him out in the snow.” + +Dorothy recounted the story in detail. When she came to the part about +Gretchen’s fear of the wildcat and the fox, even Mrs. Lawson, who was +none too sure she liked the turn things were taking, broke into a merry +peal of laughter. + +“Capital, capital!” Doctor Winn beamed. “I only wish I’d been there to +see it. But why, may I ask, do you call him Professor?” + +Dorothy explained about the dictionary and Gretchen’s idea of the pup’s +resemblance to Dorothea Gutmann’s fox terrier. + +“Better and better,” exclaimed the Doctor. “This is the jolliest tea +we’ve had in this house for ages. We need young people around us to be +really happy. You and I and Martin, Laura, have been working too hard of +late. ‘All work and no play’—We’ve been bothering too much about things +scientific, and neglecting things personal. Well now, we can rest a +while, and become human beings again.” + +Mrs. Lawson leaned forward eagerly. “Then, the formula is complete?” she +asked in a low voice, in which Dorothy detected the barely controlled +tremor of excitement. + +“Yes, indeed. Finished and locked in my safe. I added the final figures +and quantities three-quarters of an hour ago. Tomorrow, or if the +weather doesn’t clear by then, the next day at latest, I shall take it +on to Washington.” + +“I congratulate you, Doctor. And I know that once it is in the hands of +the government, a great load will be taken off your mind.” + +“You’re right, my dear, you are right. I’ve been jumpy as a cat with +eight of its lives gone for the past year.” He turned to Dorothy. “Thank +goodness, you’re young and without responsibilities, Janet. There are so +many unscrupulous people about nowadays. If those papers were lost or +stolen, there is no telling what would happen. I dare not think of it. +The whole world might suffer if that formula got into the wrong hands!” + +Dorothy could not help thinking that the world at large would be much +better off if the formula were destroyed. She, therefore, merely nodded +and looked impressed. How this gentle, kindly old man could have brought +himself to invent such a ghastly menace to life, she found it difficult +to understand. + +Laura Lawson stood up. “Doctor Winn likes to dine early, Janet, so if we +are to be dressed by six-thirty, we had better start upstairs.” + +“My word, yes!” The old gentleman snapped open the hunting case of his +repeater and got stiffly to his feet. “Time flies when one is enjoying +oneself. It’s nearly six o’clock. This has been very pleasant indeed, +the first of many afternoons, I hope.” He snapped the watch shut and +returned it to his pocket. “You ladies will excuse me, I’m sure.” He +bowed to them both, and holding himself much more erect than he had +formerly, walked stiffly from the room. + +“He’s simply darling,” exclaimed Dorothy in a hushed voice. + +“Yes, he’s a very simple and a very fine old gentleman,” said Laura +Lawson. She seemed lost in her thoughts and evidently unaware that she +uttered them aloud. “Sometimes—I hate to hurt him so.” + +“Why—why, what do you mean?” Dorothy could have bitten her own tongue +out for speaking that sentence. + +“Mean—? Oh, nothing, child. Run along now, and change. But take your +dog with you. I’ll see that one of the men gives him a run in the +stables while we’re at dinner.” + +“Thank you very much,” said Dorothy. She turned the sleeping pup out of +his bed, caught up the basket, and with Professor at her heels, ran +lightly from the room. + +Just outside the door she collided with Tunbridge, and Professor’s +basket was jerked from her grasp. + +“Oh, I’m so very sorry, Miss Jordan!” His acting was perfect. Dorothy +knew that Mrs. Lawson was close behind them. Then as they both stooped +to retrieve the basket their heads came close together. “Under your +pillow!” It was hardly more than the breath of a whisper, but Dorothy +caught the words, nodded her understanding, and stood up. + +“I’m afraid I’m to blame, Tunbridge. I didn’t see you coming.” + +“Not at all, Miss. It was my fault, entirely. Very clumsy of me I’m +sure!” + +From the corner of her eye Dorothy caught a glimpse of Laura Lawson +watching them from the doorway. + +“Don’t let it worry you, Tunbridge. I’m not hurt, neither is the basket. +Professor will probably park himself on my _pillow_ tonight, anyway. +Puppies have a way of doing such things, you know. So it really wouldn’t +matter much if you had smashed it.” + +She gave him a nod, and picking up the dog made for the staircase. + +“So instructions are waiting under my pillow,” she mused, as she slowly +mounted the broad stair. The afternoon had been a pleasant one, but the +evening, with those instructions ahead of her, portended to be something +quite different. It had been so nice and cheerful, chatting round the +tea table; so cozy sitting before the glowing logs, just talking of +jolly things and forgetting all worry and responsibility. Of course, +beyond the curtained windows, the blizzard howled. And it whipped the +swirling snowflakes into disordered clouds with its arctic lash before +it let them seek the shelter of their fellows in the drifts. She felt +very much as though she too were a snowflake, tossed hither and thither +on the storm of circumstance, to be whipped forward by the secret lash +of underlying crime. + +If she could only drop down on to her bed and sleep—and awake to find +it all a bad dream! She sighed and went toward her door on the gallery. +Her pillow held no peace for her tonight—nothing more nor less than +detailed instructions as to how Tunbridge wished her to rob a safe. Why +didn’t the man do his own stealing? Her part was to take Janet’s place +out here, and kill suspicion in Laura Lawson. Well, she’d done that, +hadn’t she? And now they loaded this other job on to her. It wasn’t +fair. She had done enough—she’d— + +“Oh, shucks!” She pulled herself up mentally as her hand fell on the +doorknob. “I’ll be losing my nerve altogether, if I let my thoughts run +on this way. D. Dixon, you just _must not_ funk it!” + +She turned the knob and entered her room. + + + + + Chapter XVI + + CAUGHT IN THE ACT + + +When Dorothy went down to dinner that evening, she knew exactly what she +had to do. After reading Tunbridge’s note which she found had been +slipped between the pillow case and the pillow itself, she had memorized +the combination to Doctor Winn’s safe, and destroyed the missive as she +had his warning of the night before. After a bath and a complete change +of clothing, she felt refreshed and in a much better frame of mind. She +had selected one of the prettiest gowns in Janet’s wardrobe, a turquoise +blue crepe, with a cluster of silver roses fastened in the twisted +velvet girdle, put on slippers to match, and surveyed the result in the +mirror. + +“Decidedly becoming, my girl,” she smiled at her reflection, and gave a +last pat to her shining bob that she had brushed until it lay like a +bronze cap close about her shapely head. “Might as well look my best at +my criminal debut!” She made a face at herself, turned and kissed the +sleeping puppy in his basket, and went downstairs. + +Doctor Winn and Mrs. Lawson were standing talking in the entrance hall, +near the fireplace. The old gentleman, dressed in immaculate dinner +clothes, looked more than ever like the English squire in his ancestral +hall. He came forward to meet her, both hands outstretched. + +“As charming as an English primrose and twice as beautiful!” he greeted +gaily. + +“Thank you kindly, sir.” She dropped him a little curtsey and let him +lead her to Mrs. Lawson. + +“Our little secretary has blossomed into a very lovely debutante,” he +beamed. + +Dorothy bit her lip, remembering her own phrase of a few moments before, +then smiled at her employer. Mrs. Lawson was regal in black velvet, +trimmed in narrow bands of ermine. She returned Dorothy’s smile, and +lifted her finely pencilled brows at the Doctor. “Oh, you men. You are +all alike. A pretty gown, a pretty face intrigues you, young or old. Pay +no attention to his flattery, Janet. I can hardly blame him, though. You +look lovely tonight. That is an exquisite frock. Did you buy it abroad?” + +“Oh, no, at a little place on fifty-seventh street.” Of course Dorothy +had no idea where Janet had bought the dress. “It is a Paris model, +though, Mrs. Lawson.” + +“I thought as much. Ah, here comes Tunbridge with the cocktails. I +wonder which side of the fence you are on?” + +“I’m—I’m afraid I don’t know quite what you mean, Mrs. Lawson.” + +“I’ll explain,” broke in the old gentleman. “I’m the prohibitionist in +this house, Janet. Mrs. Lawson is one of the antis. She likes a real +cocktail before dinner. I prefer one made of tomato juice.” + +Mrs. Lawson had already helped herself to a brimming glass and a small +canapé of caviar from the silver tray Tunbridge was holding. + +“Oh, I love tomato cocktails,” smiled Dorothy. She took one from the man +and helped herself to the caviar. “Daddy asked me not to drink until I +was twenty-one—and I’m not so keen on the idea, anyway.” + +“I try to keep an open mind about such things,” the Doctor said +seriously, “but I’ve never found that the use of alcohol did anyone any +good. Well, here’s your very good health, ladies!” He raised his glass +of tomato juice and drank. + +Dinner was announced a few minutes later. Doctor Winn offered his right +arm to Mrs. Lawson and his left to Dorothy and they walked into the +dining room. Dorothy did not enjoy that meal as much as she had her +luncheon. True, the food was delicious and the panelled room with its +cheerful fire on the hearth and the soft glow of candle light was +delightfully homey, while Doctor Winn’s easy chatter and fund of +interesting reminiscence helped to break the tedium of the courses. But +Dorothy found it difficult to play up to his amusing sallies. The old +gentleman appeared to be in very good spirits indeed. Laura Lawson, on +the other hand, was unusually quiet. At times she seemed distrait and +merely smiled absently when spoken to. She drank several glasses of +claret, but hardly touched her food. Dorothy felt surer than ever that +the Lawsons had planned their coup for tonight. She shrewdly surmised +that this cold-blooded adventuress had become fond of the genial, +fatherly old man, and realized that at his age the blow she contemplated +might very well prove a fatal one. + +As the dinner wore on, Dorothy felt more and more ill at ease. The sight +of Tunbridge, soft-footed and efficient, waiting on table or +superintending his satellite of the plum-colored kneebreeches, sent her +thoughts to the night’s work ahead every time the detective-butler came +into the room. She was glad when at last the meal was over and they +repaired to the library where after-dinner coffee was served. Dorothy +rarely drank coffee in the evening, but tonight she allowed Tunbridge to +fill her cup a second time. There must be no sleep for her until the wee +hours of the morning, and she knew from former experience that the black +coffee would keep her awake. + +Mrs. Lawson, after wandering aimlessly about the room, finally picked up +a technical magazine and commenced to read. Doctor Winn suggested a game +of chess to Dorothy. She was fond of the ancient game and told him so. +Many a tournament she and her father had played with their red and white +ivory chessmen. Dr. Winn was a brilliant player, of long experience. +Soon he began to compliment Dorothy upon a number of strategic moves. +But although several times she managed to place his king in check, it +was invariably her own royal chessman who was checkmated in the end. As +the evening wore on, the beatings became more frequent, for Dorothy +simply could not keep her mind on the game. + +For a while she sat watching the log fire and talking to the Doctor in a +desultory way while Mrs. Lawson continued to read. Then as the +grandfather clock chimed ten, Laura Lawson laid down her magazine and +stood up. + +“I think I’ll go to bed now, if you don’t mind.” The half stifled yawn, +sheer camouflage thought Dorothy, was nevertheless a masterpiece of +deception. “I’ve a bit of a headache, so I’ll say good night.” + +Doctor Winn and Dorothy got to their feet. “I’m for bed myself,” +announced the old gentleman, “and in spite of the coffee you drank after +dinner, I know you’re sleepy, Janet. Your chess playing toward the end +proved it.” His eyes twinkled at her. “But in storm or clear weather, +there’s nothing like the air of this Connecticut Ridge Country to make +one eat and sleep. By the way, Laura, when do you expect Martin?” + +“Oh, I forgot to tell you, Doctor—he won’t be back tonight. He phoned +me from town just before dinner, that on account of the blizzard, he had +decided to stay in until tomorrow. If you need him sooner, he said to +call up the Roosevelt. He always stops there, you know.” + +“Yes, yes, but I shan’t need him, thank you.” He turned to Dorothy. “The +railroad has taken upon itself to discontinue all service to +Ridgefield,” he explained. “Branchville is our nearest station, and +driving will be difficult tonight. There must be very deep drifts by +this time.” + +“I should think it would be mighty unpleasant to get stuck out in a +blizzard like this. I’m glad I don’t have to go out into it. But in a +way I’m thankful for the snow, because we ought to have a white +Christmas, and it’s ever so much more fun.” + +“Bless my soul! I’d entirely forgotten that Christmas comes next week. +Well, this year we must celebrate the Yuletide in the good old fashioned +way. Thank you, Janet, for reminding me.” + +Good nights were said, and a few minutes later Dorothy was again alone +in the Pink Bedroom. Or so she thought, as she entered. But at once she +noticed that a single shaded wall-light sent a pleasant glow from the +bay window, and curled up in the cushioned recess, Gretchen was reading. + +Dorothy stopped short in surprise and the girl sprang to her feet. “Oh, +Miss—Miss Jordan, Mr. Tunbridge told me to come and help you undress +and get ready for the night. Of course I didn’t know if you would want +me—” then she added in a whisper, “but he thought you might be sort of +blue and I could cheer you up, I guess.” + +Dorothy smiled at Gretchen’s pretty, earnest face. “Why, of course I +want you, Gretchen. Tunbridge is very thoughtful. I’ve never had the +luxury of a personal maid and I don’t know that I’ll ever feel helpless +enough to need one! But if you want to stay and talk, I’d love it.” + +“But I can help you, too,” Gretchen insisted. “I’m not really a trained +maid, you know, but Nanette—that’s Mrs. Lawson’s French maid—has been +teaching me. Gee, I’d certainly love to be _your_ personal maid, Miss +Jordan.” + +“Well, you may be, some day, who knows?” she laughed. “But you can help +me tonight, though there’ll be no bed for me until much later.” + +Gretchen, who was arranging the pillows and smoothing the covers on the +bed, turned her head sharply. “Secret Service Work?” she queried in an +excited whisper. + +Dorothy nodded and tossed her dress on to a chair. She continued +speaking in a tone just above a whisper. “At twelve o’clock tonight I’ve +got to go downstairs and commit justifiable burglary in Doctor Winn’s +office. The real thief will be along later—at least, I hope so, for +everybody’s sake. In the meantime I want you to do something for +me—will you?” + +“I sure will, miss—gee, this is exciting!” + +“Don’t let it cramp your style.” Dorothy laughed, and pulling off her +stocking, she handed Gretchen the packet of thin paper, the manuscript +on “Winnite” that she had typed that morning. “When you finish up in +here, I want you to find Mr. Tunbridge and give him these papers. You’d +better pin it inside your uniform now, and be very careful that nobody +sees you giving it to him.” + +“You can trust me,” declared Gretchen, and she put the papers safely +within her dress. “Is Mr. Tunbridge really a detective?” + +“He certainly is, Gretchen.” + +“I’d never have guessed it if you hadn’t told me. But then, I suppose +not looking like one makes him all the better?” + +“That’s the idea.” Dorothy put Janet’s quilted satin dressing gown on +over her pajamas. “Now that I’m ready for bed, and you’ve put all my +clothes away so nicely, I think you’d better run along, Gretchen. Not,” +she amended, “that I wouldn’t love to talk to you while I’m waiting for +twelve o’clock, but we must not let certain people in this house get +wise to our friendship.” + +“And Mrs. Lawson is one awful snoopy lady,” Gretchen observed candidly. +“Well, good night, Miss Jordan. Thank you a lot for letting me in on +this. I’ll see that Mr. Tunbridge gets your papers all right. Good +night—and take care of yourself.” She stood before Dorothy with an +anxious frown on her honest brow. “I sure do wish you the very best +luck!” + +Dorothy grinned. “Thank you. I certainly need it. Good night.” + +The door closed upon the little maid and Dorothy looked at her wrist +watch. It was ten minutes to eleven. For a time she sat on the edge of +her bed and stared unseeingly at the rug under her feet. Presently she +got up, locked her door, turned off her lights and went over to the +window. She drew aside the curtains and was surprised to see that it had +stopped snowing. There was no moon, but what sky she could see was +fairly a-crackle with stars. The heavy blanket of snow looked silver in +the starlight. A remote world and cold. Dorothy allowed the curtains to +drop back into place, and sat down on the window seat. Lost in thoughts +pleasant and unpleasant, she sat there for the next hour, while the +faint noises of the big house gradually subsided into stillness. + +At exactly five minutes to twelve, Dorothy raised the window, letting in +the cold night air. Then she turned off the heat and got into bed. After +lying there for possibly a minute, she threw back the covers, thrust her +feet into the fur-lined slippers she had left at the bedside and moved +like a dim shadow to the closet. + +It was crowded with Janet’s suits, coats and frocks, and she was careful +not to disturb them on their hangers, as she pushed between them in the +darkness to the rear wall and pressed her foot on the board in the +corner. The panel slid upward with a noiselessness that spoke for +well-oiled machinery somewhere in the walls. Dorothy stepped cautiously +through the opening. Her fingers sought the handle to this sliding door, +found it, and she pulled the panel down again. + +Then for the first time she made use of the small flashlight which she +carried in the pocket of her gown. She saw that she was standing on the +top step of a narrow circular stair that wound downward. Off went her +light again—she was taking no unnecessary chances tonight—and with her +hand on the metal handrail, she felt her way slowly down the stair, +holding her free hand well in advance of her body. + +When her extended fingers touched a wall that blocked further progress, +she felt with a slippered foot out to the right. The board gave +slightly, the wall panel moved upward and she stepped forth to find +herself in the great fireplace of the entrance hall, just beyond the +embers of the dying logs. The hall was illuminated in the dim glow of a +night light in the ceiling. As she turned to pull down the sliding +shutter, there came a streak of white from the dark passage and +Professor bounded into the hall. + +Dorothy was completely startled, and just as exasperated as she could +be. She could not call him, for the slightest sound might bring the +wakeful enemy to the spot. The pup, after his long sleep, was playful, +and scampered about madly, his bright eyes watching her every move. She +attempted to catch him, but he eluded her with an agility that made her +still more angry. He seemed to think that this was a splendid game, +raced across the floor in high glee, but ever watchful to keep beyond +her reach. + +Dorothy gave it up as a bad job. She dared not pursue him too +determinedly, for fear he would bark. She pulled down the sliding +shutter in the fireplace, and leaving Professor to his frolic, hurried +on to the door of Doctor Winn’s office. + +Inside the room with the door shut, her flashlight came into play for +the second time. It took her but a moment with the memorized combination +at her fingertips to open the safe. The door was surprisingly heavy, but +at last the interior of the small vault came within her line of vision. +From a drawer she took a folded sheet of white paper. Out of her pocket +came a pencil and another sheet of paper. In an amazingly short time she +copied the formula and replaced the original in the safe drawer. She +tucked the copy into the fur lining of her slipper under her bare foot. +Then suddenly she sprang up. + +Her heart leaped into her throat. In the corridor just outside there +came the sound of a footstep. There was no time to do more than shut off +her torch and drop it, together with her pencil, into the waste paper +basket. The door opened, lights flashed on, and Martin Lawson walked +into the room. + + + + + Chapter XVII + + PROFESSOR MAKES GOOD + + +In that moment, Dorothy knew what she must do. A shiver ran over her +slender frame and she blinked as though partly awakened by the flash of +lights. Then, with eyes wide open and staring straight ahead, she slowly +walked toward Martin Lawson and the open doorway. + +“_Stop!_” + +The command, though low, was uttered in a tone of deadly menace, and +Dorothy saw the blue-black muzzle of an automatic revolver pointed at +her heart. She stopped on the instant, but continued to stare straight +ahead without change of expression. She noted that he wore a soft felt +hat pulled over his eyes and a heavy ulster with its broad collar turned +up half hiding the lower part of his face. His high arctics bore traces +of melting snow. + +“Sleepwalking, eh! Well, I don’t believe it.” His sharp eyes took in the +open door of the safe. “Snap out of that playacting and tell me what you +are doing here!” + +Dorothy did not move a muscle. + +Without warning, he grasped her wrist and jerked her savagely toward +him. She screamed and went limp in his arms. Lawson clapped a hand over +her mouth. + +“So you’re up to your old tricks again, Martin!” + +Mrs. Lawson, fully dressed, and wearing a three-quarters mink coat and +brown felt cloche, appeared in the open doorway. “So our little +sleepwalker interrupted a very pretty piece of double-crossing!” She +pointed toward the safe. + +Lawson flung the weeping girl into an arm chair where she lay apparently +half stunned and shaking in every limb. + +“Double-cross, nothing!” he snapped at his wife. “How do you get that +way, Laura? I came in here just now and found Janet in the room.” + +“Was she at the safe?” + +“No, she wasn’t. She was standing in the middle of the floor. Making her +getaway without a doubt when I turned on the lights.” + +“Why do you pretend Janet opened the safe? The Doctor, you and I are the +only ones who know the combination. Laugh that off if you can, my dear!” + +They were both fast losing their tempers. + +“Combination or no combination, the safe was open when I got here,” he +snarled. “She was after the formula, of course. That father of hers is +in back of it. That Irishman is the double-crosser—and how! Figured on +working Winnite into his racket without coughing up a cent for it, +either. Call me a sucker if you like, Laura. I qualify, and so do you, +for that matter. The other stuff’s the bunk.” + +Dorothy stopped her pretended crying and lay back as though utterly +exhausted. She knew Tunbridge must be up and about. What in the world +could the man be doing? + +Mrs. Lawson who seemed to be weighing matters, slowly unbuttoned her +coat. “If you are so blameless,” she said coldly to her husband, “How do +you happen to be here at all? Your part of the job was to bring up the +car—or the plane, if it had stopped snowing.” + +“Well, it’s no longer snowing, my dear, and the plane is just where it +should be. I got tired of waiting, that’s why. Thought there must be a +slip-up. You were due out there half an hour ago.” + +“And I would have been,” said Laura Lawson evenly, “if that secret +service fool hadn’t been snooping outside my door.” + +“Tunbridge?” + +“Who else!” + +“What did you do—croak him?” + +“No, I didn’t. He’s not worth burning for.” + +As they talked, the two dropped their artificial cloaks of refinement as +if they had never been. + +“It’s hanging in this state,” sneered Martin. + +“What’s the difference! I rang for him, instead. When he knocked on the +door, I opened up and beaned him with the poker. He’ll wake up tomorrow +with a headache, but I dragged him into my room and tied him up, just to +make sure.” + +Dorothy’s heart sank to the very soles of her bare feet. + +“Atta girl!” cheered Lawson. “That’s the way! And look here, Laura. Just +to prove I’m on the straight with you—go over and frisk that kid +yourself. She’s got the paper.” + +“Thanks—I intended to.” Mrs. Lawson threw a grim smile at her husband +and turned to Dorothy. “Pass it over, Janet.” + +“But, really, Mrs. Lawson! I don’t know what you’re talking about—” + +The woman cut her short. “Stand up and come here!” + +Dorothy reluctantly obeyed. “I haven’t any paper,” she protested. “All I +know is that I woke up just now and found Mr. Lawson—” + +“Hold your tongue!” snapped Mrs. Lawson, and after exploring Dorothy’s +empty pockets, ran her fingers over the quilted gown and the girl’s +pajamas. In the midst of her search, Professor, still playful, bounded +into the room and stood watching them expectantly. + +Mrs. Lawson stepped back. “She hasn’t got it, Martin.” Her tone was +acid. “What a hard-boiled liar you are, anyway!” + +“Hard-boiled, if you like—but no liar.” He strode to the safe and +thrust his hand inside. “Here it is,” he called, and held up the paper. +“I must have got here before she could nab it.” + +Laura Lawson eyed him appraisingly. “Didn’t you say Janet was in the +middle of the room when you switched on the light?” + +“Sure—she heard me coming, of course.” + +“If Janet heard you coming, why didn’t she swing the door shut? Don’t +try to pull that stuff on me, Martin. Even if the girl knows the +combination she couldn’t open that safe in the dark. Why lie about the +business? I know you opened it yourself—and what’s more, while I’ve +been wasting time arguing with you and searching Janet, the formula was +in your pocket the whole time—that is, until you pretended to take it +out of the safe, just now!” + +Martin Lawson’s hard and cruel mouth twisted into a crooked smile. “The +world is full of liars,” he said equably, “but your husband doesn’t play +that kind of a racket, Laura—anyway, not to you.” + +“Then prove it by giving me that paper!” his wife held out her hand. + +“Nothing doing, Sweetheart. The formula will be perfectly safe with me.” + +He started to put it in an inside pocket, when Laura Lawson sprang for +the paper. She grasped his wrist. There was a tussle and the folded +sheet fell to the floor. Professor, seated on his haunches and very +interested in these exciting proceedings, dove forward and snapped it +up. For half a moment he shook the paper as though he took it for a new +species of rat. Then as they went for him, he darted between Martin’s +legs and scampered out of the room. + +“You big goop!” flared his wife. “Why didn’t you pot the cur!” + +She rushed out of the room after Professor while Martin stared rather +stupidly at the gun in his hand. Suddenly his eyes took on a +particularly hard glint and he swung round on Dorothy. + +“This,” he rasped, “is the second time you’ve got me in wrong with my +wife, Miss Janet Jordan. And there just ain’t going to be no third time, +kid!” + +“Wha—what are you going to do, Mr. Lawson?” She was still playing the +terrified, innocent Janet, but she no longer feared the man. During the +Lawsons’ struggle, she had prepared herself for something like this. She +had also shifted her position and was standing near the open door, now +several yards away. + +“You’re going to answer my questions, Janet—and answer them truthfully, +or you’ll do your sleepwalking in another world after this.” He menaced +her with the automatic, “It’s the bunk, isn’t it? The sleepwalking, I +mean.” + +“It sure is, Mr. du Val!” drawled Dorothy with a sweet smile. + +Lawson was thoroughly surprised and looked it. “Yes—it naturally would +be, seeing you know who I really am.” + +“And all about you.” + +“Oh, you do, eh? You were awake, of course, at the meeting?” + +“Not me—Janet Jordan.” + +“What do you mean—not you—Janet Jordan?” + +“I mean that certain people have been making fools of you and your wife, +Mr. du Val.” + +“Is that so! In what way, may I ask?” + +“Why, you see, I’m not Janet Jordan.” + +“Not Janet Jordan!” + +“I wish,” said Dorothy, “you wouldn’t echo my words. No, I am not—most +decidedly, not Janet Jordan, although even you have guessed by this time +that I look like her. We changed places on you, big boy! Night before +last, just before you came into Janet’s room with her father, Janet was +climbing out the window when you knocked the first time. It was rather +embarrassing.” + +“It’s going to be even more embarrassing for you in a moment or two, +Miss Not Janet Jordan! You know too much to live. Who in thunderation +are you—a government dick?” + +“That’s right, big boy. I also happen to be Janet’s double cousin.” + +“You’re her double, I’ll voucher that,” agreed du Val alias Lawson. “And +all this high-hat cockiness ain’t going to do you one little bit of +good. What’s the moniker, kid? Make it snappy, I’m pressed for time.” + +“Dorothy Dixon’s my name. And—meet Flash!” Her right hand gave a quick +twist and Martin Lawson dropped the exploding automatic with a scream of +mingled rage and pain. She sprang for the revolver, covered the man and +retrieved the knife from the floor just behind him. “Sit down over +there!” She pointed to a chair. “You’re not really hurt, you know. Flash +only skinned your knuckles. Better tie them up in your handkerchief +though. You’re ruining the rug.” + +Gretchen’s blond head peered round the door frame. “Oh, Dorothy!” she +shrilled, and rushed into the room. “Are you hurt? Did he wound you?” +She flung herself on her friend in a frenzy of fright and hysterics. + +From the hall came Laura Lawson’s voice. “Martin!” she called. “They’re +out in front of the house. They’ve got the car! Hurry!” + +Lawson wasted no time. While Dorothy struggled with the excited +Gretchen, he nipped out of the room and was gone. + +“That tears it!” cried Miss Dixon, freeing herself from the little +maid’s embrace, and she dove into the passage. + +Under the gallery she stopped short. There was nobody in sight, but from +the staircase came two sharp detonations of a revolver which were +answered by two more from the dining room. Then as she moved warily +forward, Bill Bolton ran into the hall with Ashton Sanborn close at his +heels. Dorothy saw them disappear up the stairs and ran after them. + +At the top of the stairs she spied them standing outside a bedroom door. +She hurried to join them. “Hello! Gone to cover?” + +“You’re a great guesser, kid.” Bill grinned and nodded. + +“Where’s Tunbridge?” asked Mr. Sanborn. + +Dorothy motioned toward the door. “In there. He’s got a broken head and +he’s tied up into the bargain. Laura Lawson did it. That’s her room.” + +“We’ve got to get the door down,” said Bill, and he stepped back for a +rush. + +“Just a sec, Bill!” Dorothy fired three shots from Lawson’s automatic +into the lock. + +“Smart girl!” Ashton Sanborn opened the door to disclose the +detective-butler bound and unconscious, lying on the floor. Otherwise +the room was empty of occupants. “I thought as much,” muttered the +secret service man, while Dorothy ran to Tunbridge and began to cut his +bonds. “They have beat it, all right!” + +“Secret passage?” This from Bill. + +“Yes, the walls are honeycombed with them. But Tunbridge never learned +the secret of this room, poor fellow.” + +“Doctor Winn would know,” said Dorothy. “His suite is right at the end +of this corridor. He must surely be awake with all this racket going +on.” + +“I’ll get him.” Mr. Sanborn was half way to the door. “Look after +Tunbridge, you two. Better phone for a doctor.” He was gone. + +Dorothy and Bill lifted the unconscious man on to Mrs. Lawson’s bed. +Then while young Bolton undressed him, Dorothy telephoned. She then gave +Bill a hasty account of the night’s happenings. + +“If Gretchen had only stayed put in her room, I’d have caught Martin +Lawson, anyway,” she lamented. + +“Mr. Jordan and the bunch outside will take care of that pair,” promised +Bill. “Fetch a wet towel from the bathroom. This bird is breathing +pretty hard.” + +Dorothy sped to obey, talking the while. “Not Uncle Michael!” she called +back in astonishment. + +“Yep. Uncle Michael showed up in Sanborn’s New York office this morning, +all on his own.” + +“What was he doing—wanting to turn state’s evidence and peach on his +pals?” She brought in the wet towel and laid it on Tunbridge’s hot +forehead. + +“Nothing like that, kid.” Bill was grinning. “Give another guess.” + +“Then he wasn’t really a member of that gang with the numbers?” + +“Sure he was—in good standing, too.” + +“Oh, spill it, Bill! What do you think I’m made of, anyway?” + +“Snips and snails and puppy dog’s tails,” said Bill promptly. + +“Huh! The story book says ‘little boys’ belong in that category. Come, +Bill, out with it!” + +“Well, then, cutie pie,—Uncle Michael is a secret service man.” + +“And Ashton Sanborn didn’t know it! Don’t talk rot, Bill!” + +“I’m not talking rot, Dorothy. Uncle Michael happens to be in the +British Secret Service, that’s why!” + +“Ain’t that the nerts!” exploded Miss Dixon. + +“You said it, kid! He got on to The Nameless Ones—that’s what they call +themselves—over on the other side, in Europe, you know—worked his way +into their confidence and joined up. Of course, with his government’s +sanction.” + +“And what were they up to?” + +“Out to blow up the world with Winnite, I reckon. The Lawsons were to +get two million plunks for the formula. Martie-boy was Number 1, by the +way. The whole thing was financed by the Reds.” + +“Nice people! What’s being done about it?” + +“Plenty,” returned Bill. “Mr. Jordan brought in the goods—letters, +confidential papers of the organization, and that kind of thing. All the +ringleaders, both in this country and abroad, have been apprehended and +jailed by this time.” + +“Except,” she suggested, “the du Vals, alias Lawson.” + +“That’s right! Let’s go downstairs and find out about them. Nothing more +can be done for Tunbridge until that doctor shows up. He’s had hard luck +all the way round this evening. The Lawsons fooled him nicely about the +time—and then this crack on the nut into the bargain!” + +“What do you mean—about the time?” + +“Why, he overheard the fair Laura telling her hubby that they would +vamoose at two this morning, and that she would nab the formula just +before leaving. That’s why Tunbridge specified midnight. He thought that +two hours leeway would have been plenty of time for you.” + +“I ’spose they suspected him then, and were just giving him the razz?” + +Bill nodded. “Q.E.D., old girl. You’re learning, aren’t you?” + +Dorothy made a face at him and pushed him out of the room. “By the way,” +continued Bill, as they entered the corridor, “I wonder if Mrs. Lawson +got the paper away from Professor?” + +“She did not!” declared Dorothy. “Look!” + +They paused on the stairs to view the scene below in the entrance hall. +Groups of frightened servants whispered among themselves and here and +there a strange man was posted, with somewhat of an air of grim +watchfulness. Crouched on the hearth and chewing up the last shreds of +some white substance was the puppy. + +“The end of a perfect formula,” declared Bill. “You’d better call the +pup Winnite. He’s full of it by this time. Lucky you made the copy, +Dorothy.” + +“It certainly is!” A voice spoke behind them and they turned to see +Ashton Sanborn descending the broad stair. “Doctor Winn tells me the +passageway from the Lawson woman’s room comes out into the sunken +gardens a quarter of a mile from the house. And I distinctly heard the +whirr of an airplane just now from his open window. They’ve made their +getaway in fine style by this time.” + +“Well—” Dorothy breathed a deep sigh. “I can’t help being glad of it.” + +Bill stared at her. “Well!” he mimicked. “I must say you have +astonishing reactions!” + +“What’s the matter, my dear?” asked Mr. Sanborn. “You’ve done brilliant +work on this case, and then, you know, you’ve saved Winnite.” + +Dorothy was not impressed. “That’s just it,” she retorted. “If I wasn’t +a government servant for the time being, I’d destroy the copy of that +terrible formula myself. As it is, I’ve got to turn it over to you!” + +Ashton Sanborn laid a fatherly hand on her shoulder. “Fortunes of war, +Dorothy. Sorry, but you must, you know.” + +“Oh, I know!” She took the sheet of paper from her slipper and handed it +to him. “And that,” she announced grimly, “spoils all the fun on this +racket.” + + + + + Chapter XVIII + + THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT + + +Christmas eve was, as Dorothy had predicted, a starry night of frost and +blanketing snow. Red candles twinkled in every holly-wreathed window of +the Dixon home, and a large fir tree before the house glittered with +colored Christmas lights. + +If old Saint Nick had peeped into the dining room windows, he would have +seen a merry company standing round the dinner table, gay with the +crimson-berried holly and waxy mistletoe. At the head of the table stood +Dorothy, appropriately and becomingly dressed in ruby-red velvet. On her +right there was an empty place, and beyond it, old Doctor Winn, a +boutonniere of holly in the lapel of his dinner coat; Mr. Bolton, Bill’s +father, was next down the table, and just beyond stood Ashton Sanborn. +Facing Dorothy at the other end, her father chatted with a bright-eyed +Gretchen, who had Bill on her right. Next to Bill came Doctor Winn’s +ex-butler, John Tunbridge, looking none the worse for his part in the +mixup of the fatal night. Beyond Tunbridge stood Dorothy’s Uncle +Michael, and then another empty chair. + +“Just a moment, Dorothy,” said her father as she was about to sit down. +“We’ve a surprise for you.” + +“Oh, are there more people coming?” She indicated the extra places to +her right and left. “I thought our party was as nearly complete as +possible. Of course it would have been swell if Janet and Howard could +have been with us.” + +“Dum—dum—de dum!” hummed Bill, beating time with his hand like an +orchestra conductor. From the drawing room a piano crashed into the +opening chords of Wagner’s beautiful wedding march. + +“Here Comes the Bride ...” sang the guests at table, and Dorothy’s heart +skipped a beat. + +Through the curtained doorway, walked a blushing girl, leaning on the +arm of a tall young man. She wore a bridal gown of white satin, and her +smiling face, below the draped tulle veil, was the exact counterpart of +the astonished girl at the head of the table. + +“Janet! Howard!” Dorothy ran to them and was caught in her cousin’s +arms. “Where under the sun did you come from? I thought you sailed for +South America last week!” + +“That,” said Howard, grinning broadly, “is a surprise that Mr. Sanborn +sprang on us the day after we were married. He persuaded me to give up +the South American job and got me a much better one with Mr. Bolton.” + +“Meet Mr. Howard Bright, the new manager of my Bridgeport plant,” cried +Bill’s father, and everyone clapped. + +“Why, that’s marvelous!” exclaimed Dorothy. “It’s only an hour’s drive +over there from New Canaan. We’ll be able to see a lot of each other, +Janet.” + +Then Uncle Michael, looking very happy and proud, kissed his daughter +and led her to the chair between his place and Dorothy’s. + +“Daddy gave me the wedding dress,” whispered Janet. “It’s a little bit +late for it, but he insisted.” + +“You look simply darling,” began her cousin, then stopped. Doctor Winn, +who had pushed in her chair, was addressing the company. + +“Ladies, and gentlemen,” he said, “before we start on the Christmas +cheer which our little hostess and her father have so graciously +provided, I would like to propose a toast or two, and may I ask you to +stand again while you drink them with me?” He held up his glass of +golden cider. “First, let us drink long life and great happiness to our +charming bride, Mrs. Howard Bright, and her gallant husband!” + +The company drank the toast enthusiastically. Then Uncle Abe, the +Dixon’s darkey butler, better known to some of Dorothy’s friends as “Ol’ +Man River,” grinning from one black ear to the other, laid small leather +jewel cases before Janet and Howard. + +“Just a little Christmas gift, my children,” explained Doctor Winn. + +“Oh, may we open them now?” asked Janet eagerly. + +“You most certainly may, my dear.” + +They snapped open the lids and the company leaned forward to get a +better view of the contents. + +“I don’t know how to thank you, Doctor Winn,” began Howard, fingering +his handsome gold repeater and chain. + +“Nor I—why—my goodness! I never thought I’d have a string of real +pearls. They are simply too exquisite for words!” + +Doctor Winn laughed and held up a protesting hand. “I’m sure I’m glad +you like them, but guests are requested not to embarrass the speaker. +Now, I have another toast to propose; and this time we will drink a very +Merry Christmas, long life and great happiness to Miss Margaret Schmidt, +my new companion-housekeeper!” + +Gretchen was overwhelmed and blushed furiously. Uncle Abe placed another +jewel case before her, which she opened and found therein a pearl +necklace, the counterpart of Janet’s. All she could do was to sit and +gaze at it with her wide open china-blue eyes. Mr. Dixon raised the +necklace, slipped it over the embarrassed girl’s head, and nodded to the +old gentleman. + +Doctor Winn took the hint and turned the attention of the table guests +to himself. “Third and last, but not in any way the least,” he said, “we +will drink to the heroine of the already famous case of the Double +Cousins. Ladies and gentlemen, I pledge you Dorothy Dixon—whose bravery +and loyalty to her country gained the nation’s thanks through its +mouthpiece, our President in Washington this week. A very Merry +Christmas, my dear, long life and great happiness to you and to our +friend Professor, alias Winnite! By the way, where is the pup? I have a +little remembrance for him, too.” + +“He’s right here beside me, asleep in his basket, Doctor Winn.” Dorothy +picked up the yawning pup and sat him on her lap. + +The old gentleman took a slightly larger morocco case out of his pocket, +this time, and laid it on the white cloth before her. With a smile of +thanks, she pressed the spring and disclosed, lying on a velvet pad, a +double string of gleaming pink pearls. She looked at him, speechless +with pleasure, then down again at the necklace. As she did so, she +started, for beneath the pearls lay an envelope. + +She picked it up and drew forth a paper—“Why! why, it’s my copy of the +Winnite formula!” she cried. + +“The only existing copy, my dear, which I hereby present to your puppy.” + +“But, Doctor Winn, I don’t understand!” + +“My terms to the government were that Winnite should be used for +national defense alone,” he said solemnly. “Washington would not agree. +Therefore I wish the formula destroyed.” + +“Oh, what a darling you are!” Dorothy leaned over and kissed him. “But +let’s not give it to Professor this time, please. The last one made him +horribly sick.” + +She held the paper over a lighted candle and watched Winnite burn to +charred ash. “I certainly am the happiest girl in the world tonight—but +there is just one more toast I’d like to propose before we commence +dinner. Here’s a long life and a Merry Christmas to Mr. and Mrs. Martin +Lawson—if it hadn’t been for them, think of all the fun we’d have +missed!” + + THE END + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dorothy Dixon and the Double Cousin, by +Dorothy Wayne + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44670 *** diff --git a/44670-h/44670-h.htm b/44670-h/44670-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e02615a --- /dev/null +++ b/44670-h/44670-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,6894 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> + <title>Dorothy Dixon and the Double Cousin, by Dorothy Wayne</title> + <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> + <meta content="images/cover.jpg" name="cover" /> + <meta name='DC.Title' content='Dorothy Dixon and the Double Cousin' /> + <meta name='DC.Creator' content='Dorothy Wayne' /> + <meta name='DC.Language' content='en' /> + <meta name='DC.Created' content='1933' /> + <style type="text/css"> + body { margin-left:8%;margin-right:10%; } + p { text-indent:0;margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;text-align:justify; } + .sc { font-variant:small-caps; } + .larger { font-size:larger; } + .xlarge { font-size:x-large; } + .covernote { visibility: hidden; display: none; } + @media handheld { .covernote { visibility: visible; display: block;} } + div.tnotes { padding-left:1em;padding-right:1em;text-align:left;background-color:#eeeeee;border:1px solid silver; margin:2em 10% 0 10%; } + table { margin:1em auto; } + td.tc1 { text-align:right;padding-right:0.5em; } + td.tc2 { text-align:left;font-variant:small-caps; } + td.tch { text-align:center; padding-bottom:0.5em; padding-top:1em; } + div.footnote>:first-child { margin-top:0; } + table.fntab { margin-left:0; } + h1 { text-align:center;font-weight:normal;font-size:1.4em; margin:0; } + h2 { text-align:center;font-weight:normal;font-size:1.2em; margin:0; } + h2.break { page-break-before: always; } + h2.nobreak { page-break-before: auto; } + .c000 { text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; } + .c001 { margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; } + .c002 { text-decoration:none } + .c003 { border:none;border-bottom:1px solid silver;width:10%;margin-left:0;margin-top:1em } + .c004 { width:2em } + .c005 { vertical-align:top } + .c006 { margin-top:3em; margin-bottom:0; } + .c007 { border:none;border-bottom:1px solid silver;margin-top:0.8em;margin-bottom:0.8em;margin-left:35%; width:30% } + .d000 { page-break-before:always;border:none;border-bottom:1px solid silver;margin:1em auto; } + @media handheld { .d000 { page-break-before:always;display:none; }} + .nf-center-c { text-align:center;margin:1em 0; } + .nf-center { text-align:center; } + .nf-block-c { text-align:center;margin:1em 0; } + .nf-block { display:inline-block;text-align:left; } + </style> + </head> + <body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44670 ***</div> + +<div class='nf-center-c'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <span class='xlarge'>DOROTHY DIXON</span><br/> + <br/> + <span class='xlarge'>and the Double Cousin</span><br/> + <br/> + BY<br/> + <br/> + <span class='larger'><i>Dorothy Wayne</i></span><br/> + <br/> + Author of<br/> + <i>Dorothy Dixon Solves the Conway Case<br/> + Dorothy Dixon and The Mystery Plane<br/> + Dorothy Dixon Wins Her Wings</i><br/> + <br/> + THE GOLDSMITH PUBLISHING COMPANY<br/> + CHICAGO + </div> +</div> + +<hr class='d000' /> + +<div class='nf-center-c'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <span class='sc'>Copyright, 1933</span><br/> + <br/> + <span class='sc'>The Goldsmith Publishing Company</span><br/> + MADE IN U.S.A. + </div> +</div> + +<hr class='d000' /> + +<div class='nf-center-c'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <i>To</i><br/> + <span class='sc'>Dorothea Hetty Gutmann</span> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='nf-block-c'> + <div class='nf-block'> + <i>a New Canaan schoolgirl, who<br/> + loves our beautiful Ridge<br/> + Country, and whose fox terrier,<br/> + Professor, really ate the dictionary!</i> + </div> +</div> + +<hr class='d000' /> + +<p class='c000'>CONTENTS</p> + +<table summary='toc'> +<tr><td class='tc1'>I</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch01'>The Encounter</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>II</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch02'>“Family Affairs”</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>III</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch03'>The Sleepwalker</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>IV</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch04'>Meet Flash!</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>V</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch05'>On Secret Service</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>VI</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch06'>Who’s Who?</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>VII</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch07'>Playing a Part</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>VIII</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch08'>“Walk Into My Parlor”</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>IX</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch09'>In the Night</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>X</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch10'>Surprises</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>XI</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch11'>Gretchen</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>XII</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch12'>Tests</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>XIII</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch13'>Winnite</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>XIV</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch14'>Professor</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>XV</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch15'>Tea and Orders</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>XVI</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch16'>Caught in the Act</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>XVII</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch17'>Professor Makes Good</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>XVIII</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch18'>The Christmas Spirit</a></td></tr> +</table> + +<hr class='d000' /> + +<h1 class='nobreak'>DOROTHY DIXON AND THE DOUBLE COUSIN</h1> + +<h2 id='ch01' class='nobreak'>Chapter I<br /><br />THE ENCOUNTER</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>“Why—good heavens, girl! How in the +world did you escape?”</p> + +<p>Dorothy Dixon heard the low, eager +whisper at her elbow but disregarded it. +She was intent on selecting a tie from the +colorful rack on the counter before her. +She spoke to the clerk:</p> + +<p>“I’ll take this one, and that’ll make four. +I hope Daddy will approve my taste in +Christmas presents,” she smiled, and laid +a bill on her purchases.</p> + +<p>“But—please, dear, tell me! Don’t you +know I’m worried crazy? Who let you +out?”</p> + +<p>This time Dorothy felt a touch on her +arm. She wheeled quickly to face a tall, +slender young fellow of twenty-two or +three. As she stared at him, half indignant, +half wondering, she saw sincere distress +in his brown eyes, and in the lines of his +pleasant face. Hat in hand, he waited anxiously +for an answer to his question, while +the crowd of holiday shoppers poured +through the aisles about them.</p> + +<p>Dorothy’s eyes softened, then danced. +“It seems to me,” she said, “that you have +the wires twisted—it’s not I who’ve escaped, +but you! Run along now and find +your keeper. You’re evidently in need of +one!”</p> + +<p>“Your change and package, miss,” the +impersonal voice of the haberdashery clerk +intervened and Dorothy turned back to the +counter.</p> + +<p>“But why on earth are you acting this +way, Janet?” The strange young man was +at her elbow again.</p> + +<p>Once more Dorothy turned swiftly toward +him but when she spoke her eyes and +voice were serious. “Do you really mean +to say you think you’re speaking to Janet +Jordan? Because—”</p> + +<p>“My dear—what are you trying to tell +me?” He broke in impatiently. “I certainly +ought to know the girl I’m going to +marry!”</p> + +<p>Dorothy nodded slowly. “I agree with +you—you ought to—but then, you see, you +<em>don’t</em>!”</p> + +<p>The young man crushed his soft felt hat +in his hands and took a step nearer to her. +“Look here—what <em>is</em> the matter with you? +I know you’ve been through a lot, but—” +He broke off abruptly, a gleam of horror +and suspicion in his honest eyes. “Janet! +What have they done to you?”</p> + +<p>Dorothy laid a firm hand on his arm. +“Sh! Be quiet—listen to me.” Then she +added gently—“I am <em>not</em> Janet Jordan, +your fiancee.”</p> + +<p>“You’re not—!”</p> + +<p>“No. My name is Dorothy Dixon—and +I’m Janet’s first cousin.”</p> + +<p>The young man seemed flabbergasted +for a moment. Then he stammered—“Wh-why, it’s +astounding—the resemblance, I +mean! You’re alike as—as two peas. If +you were twins—”</p> + +<p>“But you see,” she smiled, “our mothers, +Janet’s and mine, <em>were</em> twins, and I guess +that accounts for it. I’ve never seen Janet, +but this is the third time, just recently, that +I’ve been taken for her by her friends, +Mr.—?”</p> + +<p>“My name is Bright,” he supplied. +“Howard Bright. Yes, now I can see a +slight difference, Miss Dixon. You’re a bit +taller and broader across the shoulders than +she is. But it’s your personalities, more +than anything else, that are altogether unlike. +I hope you’ll forgive me, Miss +Dixon, for making a nuisance of myself!”</p> + +<p>“No indeed—that is, of course I will!” +Dorothy laughed merrily. “You’re not a +nuisance, you know, but,” and her tone became +grave, “I can see that you’re in trouble. +Is there—” she hesitated.</p> + +<p>“Not I, Miss Dixon—that is, not directly. +But,” he lowered his voice, “Janet is—is +in very serious trouble. And for a +moment, when I saw you, I thought that in +some miraculous way she had escaped.”</p> + +<p>Howard Bright’s face suddenly became +almost haggard and Dorothy’s sympathy +and concern for her cousin deepened into +resolve.</p> + +<p>“Look here, Mr. Bright,” she said abruptly, +“we can’t talk here, in this shopping +crowd, it’s a regular football scrimmage. +Let’s go up to the mezzanine. A friend of +mine is waiting there for me now, I’m a little +late as it is, and—”</p> + +<p>“But I can’t bother <em>you</em> with this,” he +protested, “and especially—”</p> + +<p>“Oh, come along,” she urged, “Bill is a +grand guy when it comes to getting people +out of messes. I insist you tell us all about +it. After all, Janet’s my cousin, you know, +and you’ll soon be a member of the family, +won’t you?”</p> + +<p>“There doesn’t seem much hope of that +now.” Young Bright’s tone was despondent. +“But Janet certainly does need help, +and she needs it badly—so—”</p> + +<p>Dorothy caught his arm. “I’m going to +call you Howard,” she announced briskly. +“So please drop the Miss Dixon. And +come on—let’s push our way over to the +elevators.”</p> + +<p>The mezzanine floor of the department +store was arranged as a lounge or waiting +room for customers. Comfortable arm +chairs and divans invited tired shoppers to +rest. Writing desks and tables strewn with +current magazines gave the place a club-like +appearance.</p> + +<p>Dorothy and her newly found acquaintance +stepped out of the elevator and +looked about. The place seemed especially +quiet after the rush and bustle on other +floors, and was almost deserted, save for +two elderly ladies conversing in low tones +near a window, and a young man, who rose +at their approach.</p> + +<p>As the good looking youth moved toward +them with the lithe, easy grace of a +trained athlete, Howard Bright saw that +he had light brown hair, and blue eyes +snapping with vitality and cheerfulness.</p> + +<p>“Hello, Dorothy!” He greeted her +smilingly, “better late than never, if you +don’t mind my saying so. I’d just about +figured you were going to pass up our +date.”</p> + +<p>“Sorry, Colonel,” she mocked. “Explanations +are in order I guess, but they +can wait. This is Howard Bright, Bill—Howard, +Mr. Bolton!”</p> + +<p>The two young men shook hands.</p> + +<p>“Bolton—Dixon?” Howard’s tone was +thoughtful. “Why!” he exclaimed suddenly. +“You two are the flyers—the pair +who won the endurance test with the Conway +motor! I’m certainly glad to meet you +both. The papers have been full of your +doings. Well, this is a surprise! But you +know, I’d got the impression that you were +both older—”</p> + +<p>“I’m sixteen,” smiled Dorothy. “Bill +has me beat by a year.”</p> + +<p>“How about lunch?” suggested Bill. He +invariably changed the subject when his +exploits were mentioned. People always +enthused so, it embarrassed him. “You’ll +join us, of course, Mr. Bright?”</p> + +<p>“Thanks, Mr. Bolton. I really don’t +think I can butt in this way—”</p> + +<p>“There’s no butting in about it,” Dorothy +interrupted. “Howard is engaged to +my cousin, Janet Jordan, Bill. And Janet’s +in a lot of trouble. I’ve promised we’d do +everything we can to help.”</p> + +<p>Bill, after one look at Howard’s worried +face, sized up the situation instantly. +“Why, of course,” he said. “And we can’t +talk with any privacy in this place. I can +see that whatever the trouble is, it’s serious.”</p> + +<p>“Janet’s in desperate peril,” Howard +said huskily.</p> + +<p>“You said something about her escape +when we met,” Dorothy reminded him. +“Has somebody kidnapped her? Have you +any idea where she is?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, she’s a prisoner. A prisoner in the +Jordans’ apartment on West 93rd Street.”</p> + +<p>“Then her father is away?”</p> + +<p>“No. He leaves tonight, I believe.”</p> + +<p>“But, my goodness!—a girl can’t be kidnapped +and made a prisoner in her own +home. Especially if her father is there. It +doesn’t sound possible.”</p> + +<p>“I know it doesn’t,” admitted Howard +desperately, “it sounds crazy. But it’s the +truth, just the same. She’s in frightful danger.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy looked horrified. “You mean +that my uncle and Janet don’t get on together—that +they’ve had a row and you’re +afraid he will harm her?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, no, they’re very fond of each +other.”</p> + +<p>“Then Uncle Michael is a prisoner, +too!”</p> + +<p>“No, he is free enough himself, but he +can do nothing—it would only make matters +worse.”</p> + +<p>“Well!” declared Dorothy, “I don’t +think much of Uncle Michael if he can’t +protect his own daughter.”</p> + +<p>Bill stepped into the breach.</p> + +<p>“What about the police—can’t you call +them in?”</p> + +<p>Howard Bright shook his head. “They +would only bring this horrible business to +a climax,” he explained. “And that is exactly +what must not be done. It is more a +matter for Secret Service investigation—but +I don’t think that even they could be of +any real help.”</p> + +<p>Bill and Dorothy exchanged a quick +glance.</p> + +<p>“Have you ever heard of a man named +Ashton Sanborn, Mr. Bright?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I have, Mr. Bolton. Wasn’t he +the detective who helped you unearth +that fiendish scheme of old Professor +Fanely?”<a id='r1'/><a href='#f1' class='c002'><sup>[1]</sup></a></p> + +<p>“Bull’s eye!” grinned Bill. “Only Ashton +Sanborn is quite a lot more than a mere +detective. And it so happens that he is over +at the Waldorf right now, waiting for +Dorothy and me to lunch with him. Let +me tell you, Bright, it’s a mighty lucky +thing for Janet Jordan that he is in town. +Come along. We’ll hop a taxi and be with +him in ten minutes.”</p> + +<p>Howard hung back. “But really—”</p> + +<p>Dorothy caught his arm. “Don’t be +silly, now,” she urged.</p> + +<p>“But I can’t call in a detective, Dorothy. +I know I’m rotten at explaining, but if these +devils who have Janet in their power are +interfered with they will kill her out of +hand!”</p> + +<p>“But you spoke of the Secret Service just +now. This is not for publication, but Mr. +Sanborn is the head of that branch of the +government. If anyone <em>can</em> help Janet, he +can do it.”</p> + +<p>“I doubt it. I admit I’m half crazy with +worry, but Janet is going to be removed +from the apartment tonight, and heaven +only knows what will happen then. It +takes days, generally weeks, to get the government +started on anything.”</p> + +<p>“Not Sanborn’s branch of it,” interrupted +Bill. “We’re talking in circles, +Bright. If Sanborn can’t help Janet, he’ll +tell you so. At least you can give him the +dope and find out. He’s an expert and +you’ll get expert advice.”</p> + +<p>“All right, I’ll go with you. But I’m +afraid it won’t do any good. Please don’t +think, though, that I’m not appreciating +the interest you’re taking. I don’t mean +to be a wet blanket.”</p> + +<p>“Of course you don’t, and you’re not.” +Dorothy led toward the staircase. “You’ll +feel a whole lot better when you get the +story off your chest.”</p> + +<p>“And when you’ve got outside a good +substantial lunch,” added Bill. “I know I +shall, anyway.”</p> + +<p>“That,” said Dorothy, “is just like a boy. +I believe you’d eat a good meal, Bill, an +hour before you were hung, if it were offered +to you.”</p> + +<p>“I’d be hanged if I didn’t,” he laughed +and followed her down the steps onto the +main floor.</p> + +<hr class='c003' /> +<table class='fntab' summary='footnote_1'> +<colgroup> +<col span='1' class='c004' /> +<col span='1'/> +</colgroup> +<tr><td class='c005'> +<div id='f1'><a href='#r1' class='c002'>[1]</a></div> +</td><td> +<div class='footnote'> +<p>See <i>Bill Bolton and The Winged Cartwheels.</i></p> + +</div> +</td></tr> +</table> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch02' class='break'>Chapter II<br /><br />“FAMILY AFFAIRS”</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>“Just—one—moment, please!” Ashton +Sanborn’s keen blue eyes twinkled as he +surveyed his young guests. His heavy-set +body moved with a muscular grace as he +placed a chair for Dorothy and motioned +the two boys to seats on a divan nearby. +“Now then, Dorothy and Bill—I want you +two chatterboxes to keep quiet while I ask +Mr. Bright some questions and get this +matter straight in my own head. Your turn +to talk will come later.” His quizzical +smile robbed the words of any +harshness, and the culprits grinned and +nodded their willingness to comply with +his request.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Bright,” he went on, “if you’ll just +answer my questions for the present, I’ll +get you to tell the story from the beginning +in a few minutes.”</p> + +<p>“It’s mighty decent of you to take all this +interest, Mr. Sanborn.”</p> + +<p>The Secret Service Man shook his prematurely +grey head—“It’s my business to +ferret things out. Now, as I understand it, +you mistook Dorothy for her cousin, Miss +Jordan, to whom you are engaged. The +likeness must be amazing?”</p> + +<p>“It is, sir.”</p> + +<p>“Yes—well, we’ll get back to the likeness +after a while. You say that Miss Jordan is +a prisoner in her father’s apartment, and +is in danger of her life?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir.” Howard, tense and taut as a +fiddle string, his hands gripping the edge +of the cushioned couch, gazed steadily +back at his questioner.</p> + +<p>“Do you know for certain that she is in +actual danger at the present moment, +Bright?” Ashton Sanborn’s quiet tone +and unhurried manner of speaking was +gradually gaining the young man’s confidence. +Bill and Dorothy noticed that +Howard’s strained look was beginning to +disappear, and he had started to relax.</p> + +<p>“She has been in great danger,” he replied, +“but now, they’ve decided to test her. +There isn’t a chance, though, that she will +pass the test, Mr. Sanborn. The poor girl +is so worn out and nervous she’s bound to +fail.”</p> + +<p>“Do you know what time she is to be +taken away from the apartment?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir. Lawson told her to pack her +clothes today, so as to be ready to leave at +midnight.”</p> + +<p>“Mmm!” Sanborn glanced at his watch. +“It is now one-thirty. That gives us exactly +eleven and a half hours in which to +get her out of their hands. Now just one +question more, Mr. Bright. What made +you say that this is a matter in which the so-called +Secret Service of the United States +should be called in, rather than the police?”</p> + +<p>“Well,” Howard’s brows knit in a puzzled +frown, “you see, Janet is being taken +to Dr. Tyson Winn’s house near Ridgefield, +Connecticut, tonight. As I understand +it, Dr. Winn has a big laboratory up +there where he is experimenting on high +explosives for the government. Lawson, +the man who told Janet she was to go there, +is Dr. Winn’s secretary. It all looks so +queer to me—I thought—”</p> + +<p>“That <em>is</em> interesting!” Ashton Sanborn’s +tone was serious and for a little while he +seemed lost in thought. Then abruptly he +looked up from an inspection of his finger +tips, and rose from his chair. “I ordered +lunch for three before you young people +arrived,” he said with a return of his cheerful, +hearty way of speaking. “Now I’ll +phone down and have lunch for four served +up here instead.” He looked at Dorothy. +“By the way, the menu calls for oyster +cocktails, sweetbreads on grilled mushrooms, +O’Brien potatoes, alligator pear +salad, and cafe parfait—any suggestions?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, aren’t you a dear!” Dorothy, who +had been using a miniature powder puff on +her nose, snapped shut the cover of her +compact. “You have ordered all the things +I like best. No wonder you’re a great detective—you +never forget a single thing, +no matter what it is.”</p> + +<p>Sanborn laughed. “Thanks for the +compliment—but those dishes happen to +be favorites of my own, too. Now get that +brain of yours working, Dorothy. When +I’ve finished with the head waiter, I want +you to tell us all you know about your uncle +and cousin. Before we can go further I +must have every possible detail of the case +at my fingers’ ends.”</p> + +<p>He took up a phone from a small table +near the window, and Dorothy turned +toward Howard.</p> + +<p>“You probably know more about the +Jordans than I do,” she said. “I have a +picture of Janet that she sent me a couple +of years ago. We always exchange presents +at Christmas—but we’ve never seen +each other.”</p> + +<p>“I really know very little about the Jordans, +myself,” protested Howard. “You +see, Janet and I saw each other for the first +time just five weeks ago. It was on a Sunday +afternoon, I’d been taking a walk in +Central Park, when one of those equinoctial +downpours came on very suddenly. +Janet was right ahead of me, so naturally, +I offered her my umbrella. She’s—well, +rather shy and retiring, and at first she +wasn’t so keen on accepting—”</p> + +<p>“So there <em>is</em> a difference between the +cousins!” Bill winked at Howard. “If it +had been Dorothy, she’d have taken your +overcoat and rubbers as well. Nothing shy +or retiring about Janet’s double!”</p> + +<p>“Is that so, Mr. Smarty! It’s a good thing +Howard met her that rainy Sunday. If it +had been you, Bill, the poor girl would certainly +have got a soaking!”</p> + +<p>“You mean she wouldn’t have accepted +my umbrella?”</p> + +<p>“I <em>mean</em> you never would have offered +it!”</p> + +<p>“You win—one up, Dorothy,” said Ashton +Sanborn when the laughter at this sally +had subsided. “What happened after you +and Janet got under your umbrella, +Bright?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, nothing much. We walked over to +Central Park West but there were no taxis +to be had for love or money. So then I +suggested taking her home and we found +we lived in the same apartment house. I +asked if I might call, but she said that was +impossible—that Mr. Jordan permitted no +callers.”</p> + +<p>“Well,” said Dorothy, “that didn’t seem +to stop you. I mean you are a pretty fast +worker, Howard, to get engaged with a +tyrant father guarding the doorstep and all +that.”</p> + +<p>“Cut it out, Dot,” broke in Bill, who had +been waiting patiently for a chance to get +even. “You can’t be in the center of the +stage all the time, and your remarks are +out of order, anyway.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll dot you one, if you take my name in +vain, young man!”</p> + +<p>“Silence, woman! Go ahead, Howard, +and speak your piece, or she’ll jump in +with both feet next time.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy said nothing but the glance she +shot Bill Bolton was a promise of dire +things to come.</p> + +<p>“Oh, I don’t mind,” grinned Howard, +and Dorothy immediately put him down as +a good sport. “Well, to go on with it—we +used to meet in the lobby, go for walks and +bus rides, sometimes to the movies or a +matinee. Two weeks ago, Janet, who is +just eighteen, by the way, said she would +marry me. She seemed to have no friends +in New York. I’ve seen her father, but +never met him. Except for this horrible +business, which came up a few days ago, +all that I know about Janet is that her +mother died when she was five, her father +parked her at a boarding-school near Chicago, +and she stayed there until last June +when she graduated. Her summer holidays +were spent at a girls’ camp in Wisconsin. +She was never allowed to visit the +homes of the other girls, so Christmas and +Easter holidays she stayed in the school. +During her entire schooling, she saw her +father only five times. Last summer he +took her abroad with him. They travelled +in Germany and in Russia, I believe.”</p> + +<p>“Gosh, what a life for a girl!” exploded +Bill.</p> + +<p>“I should say so!” Dorothy made no +attempt to hide her disgust. “The more I +hear about Uncle Michael, the less I care +about him.”</p> + +<p>“Tell us what you do know about him,” +prompted Sanborn. “I want to get all the +background possible before Bright explains +the girl’s present predicament. I +know a good deal about Dr. Winn and his +secretary. If those men are threatening +her, there must be something very serious +brewing. Go ahead, Dorothy—luncheon +will be up here any minute, now.”</p> + +<p>“All right, but I warn you it isn’t much. +My mother, who as you know died when +I was a little girl, had one sister, my Aunt +Edith, who was her twin. They looked so +much alike that their own father and +mother had trouble in telling them apart. +Aunt Edith fell in love with a young Irishman +named Michael Jordan, whom she met +at a dance. He seemed prosperous, and my +grandfather gave his consent to their engagement. +Then he learned that Michael +Jordan made his money by selling arms +and ammunition to South and Central +American revolutionists. Grandpa, from +all accounts, hit the ceiling. He was a +deacon of the church, very sedate and all +that, and he said he wouldn’t allow his +daughter to marry a gun-runner. And that +was that. To make a long story short, +Aunt Edith ran away with Michael Jordan. +They were married in New York, sent +Grandpa a copy of the marriage certificate, +and then sailed for South America. For +several years there was no word from them +at all. My mother, whose name was Janet, +by the way, loved Aunt Edith as only a twin +can love the other. But she couldn’t write +to her because the eloping couple had left +no address. Six years later, mother had +a letter from Uncle Michael. He was in +Chicago then, and he wrote that Aunt +Edith had died, and that he had placed little +Janet at the Pence School in Evanston. +Mother and Daddy went right out to Chicago, +to see Uncle Michael. They tried +to get him to let them take Janet home with +them, and bring her up with me. I was +only three at the time, so naturally I don’t +remember anything about it. But what I’m +telling you Daddy told to me years later. +Well, their trip to Chicago was all for +nothing—Uncle Michael refused to let +them have Janet. It almost broke my +mother’s heart. Well, and that is the reason +Janet and I have always given each +other presents at Christmas and on our +birthdays, although we’ve never even met. +Two years ago, she sent me her photograph, +and both Daddy and I were +astounded to see the resemblance to me. +Twice, since then, I’ve been taken for Janet +by girls who were at school with her at +Evanston. Perhaps, if we were seen together, +you’d be able to tell us apart—I +don’t know.”</p> + +<p>“I do, though,” declared Howard, “you +may be slightly broader across the shoulders, +Dorothy, but otherwise you might be +Janet, sitting there. You’ve the same +brown hair, grey eyes, your features are +alike—”</p> + +<p>“How about our voices?”</p> + +<p>“Exactly the same. You have a more +forceful way of speaking, that’s all. I keep +wanting to call you ‘Janet’ all the time.” +Howard turned his head away, and +Dorothy could see the emotion that again +overtook him as he thought of his helpless +little fiancee, a prisoner in the hands of +unscrupulous men.</p> + +<p>She glanced at Bill, and shook her head +in sympathy. Just then there came a knock +on the sitting room door.</p> + +<p>“Ah! lunch at last!” Ashton Sanborn +rose and put his hand on Howard’s shoulder. +“Come, no more of this now. The +subject of the double cousins is taboo until +we’ve all done justice to this excellent +meal!”</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch03' class='break'>Chapter III<br /><br />THE SLEEPWALKER</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>“Mr. Sanborn,” said Dorothy, “when +you’re tired of fathoming mysteries for +people, come out to New Canaan and help +me order meals. That was the most +scrumptious lunch I’ve had in a month of +Sundays.” She dropped a lump of sugar +in her demitasse and threw her host a bright +smile across the table.</p> + +<p>“Thank you, my dear,” the detective +smiled back. “I may take you up on that +one of these days. But speaking of mysteries +reminds me that now the waiter is +gone, it’s high time we busied ourselves +again with the affairs of Janet Jordan. +Now that I understand something of the +young lady’s background and her family, +I want to hear all there is to tell about her +present position.” He pulled a briar pipe +and tobacco pouch out of his pocket and +commenced to fill the one with the contents +of the other. “All ready, Howard. Start at +the beginning and don’t skimp on details—they +may be and they generally are important.”</p> + +<p>“Very well, sir. I’ll begin with a week +ago today.” Howard pushed his chair +away from the table, thrust his hands into +trouser pockets and jumped into his story. +“Janet had a date to meet me last Thursday +at two p. m. at the Strand. We intended to +take in a movie—but she never showed +up.”</p> + +<p>“Then you aren’t a business man—?” +This from the detective.</p> + +<p>“Oh, but I am—a mining engineer, Mr. +Sanborn. With the Tuthill Corporation. +But I am free on Thursday afternoons, instead +of Saturday. It is more convenient +for the office staff.”</p> + +<p>“Hasn’t your concern large mining concessions +in Peru?”</p> + +<p>“It has, sir—silver mines. To make matters +worse—but no—I’ll tell it this way. +I particularly wanted to meet Janet last +Thursday, because I had been told the day +before by the head of our New York office +that I was to be transferred to Lima, Peru. +The boat that I’m scheduled to sail on, +leaves this coming Saturday. I was fearfully +pepped up about it. I’m going down +there as assistant manager of our Lima office, +the job carries a considerable increase +in salary, and, if I make good, a fine future +with the firm. My plan was to get Janet to +marry me, with or without her father’s consent, +and to take her to Lima with me. I +couldn’t bear to think of leaving her to the +kind of existence she’d had before I’d +known her—and with no way of correspondence—Well, +I waited for over an +hour in the lobby of the theatre but she +didn’t come. At last I went up to my apartment.”</p> + +<p>“Why didn’t you phone her?” asked +Dorothy, who was nothing if not direct.</p> + +<p>“Because Janet had asked me never to do +that. She said if her father knew she had +a boy friend, he’d pack her off somewhere, +and we’d never be able to meet again.”</p> + +<p>“Nice papa—I don’t think!” observed +Bill Bolton.</p> + +<p>“No comments now, please,” said Sanborn. +“Go on, Howard. If you couldn’t +talk to Janet, how did you find out that she +was a prisoner?”</p> + +<p>Howard smiled. “But we <em>were</em> able to +talk to each other, Mr. Sanborn. About +the time we became engaged, I fixed that. +My small flat is on the ninth floor of the +building, the Jordans’ on the seventh. My +three rooms have windows on an air shaft. +The Jordans’ back bedroom and bath overlook +the same airshaft and are directly opposite +my sitting room, two flights below. +The shaft is only twenty feet wide, so I +bought one of those headphone sets that +are used in airplanes for conversation between +the cockpits of a plane while it is +being flown. I lengthened the wires of +course, and got a long, collapsible pole. +After dark, Janet would come to her window, +I’d pass her headphone set down to +her, hooked on to the end of the pole, and +we would hold long conversations across +the court without anybody being the wiser. +When we were through talking, I’d pass +the pole over to her and draw it back when +she’d attached her headset.”</p> + +<p>“By Jingoes!” cried Bill. “I’ll say that’s +clever!”</p> + +<p>“It sure is, Howard!” Dorothy was +quite as enthusiastic. “You certainly deserve +to get Janet after that.”</p> + +<p>Howard shook his head. “We’ll have to +do something really clever to get her away +from the bunch who are holding her prisoner. +Well,—as I say, when I got to my +flat, I sat down by my sitting room window, +and pretended to read a book. In reality, +of course, I was watching Janet’s window. +Presently she appeared. Even at that distance, +I could see that she had been crying. +She held up a slate, for we never dared to +use the headphones in the day time, and +slates are a good medium for short messages. +On it she had written, ‘<em>After dark.</em>’ +Well, that was one of the longest afternoons +I’d ever put in. About five-thirty, she came +back to her window and I passed over the +headgear. When I heard her story, I went +half crazy, and I guess I’ve been pretty +much that way ever since.</p> + +<p>“You see, Mr. Sanborn, Janet has told +me that occasionally she walks in her sleep, +especially when she isn’t feeling very well. +The evening before, that was a week ago +Wednesday night, she had a headache and +went to bed early. When she awoke, she +was terrified to find herself seated on the +floor of their living room, behind a large +Chinese screen. There seemed to be seven +or eight men in the room, including her +father. Of course, she could not see them, +but she could hear every word they said. +By the clock on the wall above her head, +she saw that it was one in the morning. +She soon realized that this was a meeting of +the heads of some large society or organization +and that these men had come there +from all parts of the world. There was an +air of mystery about them and their +talk. No names were mentioned but they +addressed each other by number. Mr. Jordan +was Number 5; Number 2, who spoke +with a foreign accent, was evidently conducting +the meeting, in place of the absent +Number 1, whom they all seemed to hold +in great awe. Janet realized that she must +have entered the room before the meeting +started, while she was still asleep. She saw +that so long as the meeting lasted, there +would be no way of escape. Gradually she +became terrified at her predicament, +and—”</p> + +<p>“Just a moment,” interrupted Ashton +Sanborn. “Has Janet ever told you anything +of her father’s business?”</p> + +<p>“She really knows nothing about it, Mr. +Sanborn. I asked her myself some time +ago, and she said then, except that he +seemed to travel a lot, she hadn’t the slightest +idea what he did for a living. Once +when she asked him outright what is was, +Mr. Jordan flew into a rage. He said it +was his own affair, and that so long as it +brought them in enough money to live +comfortably, he did not wish her to bring +up the matter again. The one thing she +does know is that he doesn’t go regularly to +an office. Men frequently come to see him +at the apartment, but their conversations +are invariably held behind locked doors.”</p> + +<p>“I see. Go on now, with Janet and the +meeting.”</p> + +<p>“Well, sir, as I’ve said, she was behind +that screen, listening to what the men said—and +in fact, she couldn’t help listening. +Not that she understood much of what they +were saying. Number 2 made a long +speech and the gist of it was that now they +were agreed upon the use of Formula X, +the demonstration (whatever that was) +must be made in their respective sectors at +the same time on the same day. He also +proposed that Number 5 (Janet’s father) +interview Number 1 and learn from him +when the demonstrations should be made. +This motion was carried unanimously. +Then Number 3 asked the chairman if they +could not in future hold their meeting in +some safer place than the Jordans’ apartment. +‘For all we know,’ he said, ‘someone +may be secreted behind that screen!’ +Mr. Jordan laughed at this, and told Number 3 to close up the screen if it made him +nervous. So the first thing Janet knew, +the screen was dragged aside and she was +staring into the face of a Chinaman. Seated +in a circle behind him were the others, her +father among them.”</p> + +<p>“Gosh!” exclaimed Dorothy. “I’ll bet +that scared the poor kid silly.”</p> + +<p>“It did,” admitted Howard. “She was +absolutely petrified. And then there was +the dickens to pay. All the men started +talking at once. The Chinaman pulled a +revolver and pointed it straight at her, yelling +that she had heard their secrets and +must be immediately executed!”</p> + +<p>“‘She has heard nothing!’ her father told +them. ‘She frequently walks in her sleep. +She was asleep when she wandered in here +before the meeting, and she is sleeping now—look!’ +Then he lit a match and held the +flame before Janet’s eyes. ‘You see,’ he +said, ‘she doesn’t even blink. Janet has +heard nothing, gentlemen.’”</p> + +<p>“Of course Janet had taken her father’s +hint, and followed it. She knew that he +was doing the only thing he could to save +her life, so she kept right on staring in front +of her without moving, while the Chinaman +held the automatic within a foot of her +head. But the strain she was under nearly +broke her nerve. She knew that the slightest +sign on her part that she was conscious +would mean a bullet through her brain. A +furious argument followed. Most of the +men—there were eight of them including +Mr. Jordan—wanted her put out of the +way at once. But at last, her father and +Number 2, a big man with a long beard +who seemed to be more humane than the +rest, prevailed upon them to let him lead her +back to her bed. Her father was forbidden +to hold any intercourse with her whatsoever. +She was locked in her bedroom, +afraid even to cry, for fear she would be +heard, and not knowing what moment the +door would open and they would drag her +to her death.”</p> + +<p>“Horrible!” Mr. Sanborn’s pipe had +gone out but he didn’t seem to notice it. +“That experience was enough to unhinge +a person’s mind. Janet may be shy and +retiring, but she evidently doesn’t lack grit. +By the way, did she say she recognized any +of the men at the meeting?”</p> + +<p>“No. She said that without exception +she was sure she’d never seen any of them +before, although they were all on good +terms with her father. Each one seemed +to be of a different nationality. One was a +black man who wore a turban—an East +Indian, probably. Another, also pretty +dark, wore a red fez. The others were apparently +Europeans, but as they all spoke +English together she had no way of guessing +what they were. Number 2, the man +with the long brown beard, she thought +might be a Scandinavian. She was sure, +though, that her father was the only American +or Anglo-Saxon in the group.”</p> + +<p>“Tell us what happened next morning,” +proposed Dorothy. Her coffee, now cold, +remained untasted in the cup.</p> + +<p>“I’m getting to that. At eight o’clock +her door was unlocked and a woman, a +stranger to her, came into her bedroom with +a breakfast tray. She put the tray on a +table and went into the bathroom and +turned on the water for Janet’s bath, then +left the room and locked the door after her. +At nine this same woman came back, +brought some books and magazines to her, +made up the bed and put the room straight. +Whenever Janet spoke to her, she shook +her head and put her finger to her lips. +But Janet said that even now she doesn’t +know whether the woman is actually dumb +or only acting under orders. She has +brought and taken away her meals ever +since, but she has never been able to get +her to speak.”</p> + +<p>“But how did she find out about going to +Dr. Winn’s house?” asked Bill Bolton, +who had shown an interest quite as keen as +Dorothy’s or Sanborn’s.</p> + +<p>Howard Bright drank a glass of water. +“I’m getting to that part now,” he explained. +“I’m not much of a story teller and +I seem to be taking an awful time to get +through this one—but I’m doing my best +just the same.”</p> + +<p>“Of course you are!” Dorothy motioned +Bill to keep quiet. “You’re doing +noble, Howard! Pay no attention to that +goof over there.”</p> + +<p>“O.K., Dorothy.” Howard replaced +his empty glass on the table. “At about +noon of the first day of Janet’s imprisonment +in her room, the door was unlocked +and Mr. Lawson came in. She knew him +as a friend of her father’s who had dined +with them two or three times. She had always +thought him quite a jolly sort of chap +and knew that he was private secretary to +Dr. Winn, the celebrated chemist. Naturally, +she felt rather relieved to see him, and +she opened up on him at once. She still +felt that her only hope for life and freedom +was to pretend absolute ignorance of the +happenings of the night before. And she +managed to keep up that pretense before +Lawson, though what he had to do with the +affair she hadn’t any idea, nor does she yet +know where he comes into the picture. +Anyway, he wasn’t at the meeting. She let +him know, though, that she was very indignant and astonished to find herself kept +a prisoner, and demanded to see her father. +Lawson, she told me, was most affable and +kind to her. He said that she of course did +not realize that she had been very ill during +the night and that she was now under doctor’s +orders. He also told her that her +father had been called away on business, so +he had come to her as an old friend of the +family, to be of any help that he could. +Janet said that his sympathy almost undermined +her suspicion—she almost confided +in him. But luckily, she didn’t. He has +been to see her every day since, and she is +now convinced that his part in this devilish +scheme is to gain her confidence, and to +find out whether she actually did hear or +see anything at the meeting. Yesterday he +told her that it had been decided she should +visit him and his wife at Dr. Winn’s house +while her father is away, and that in order +to occupy her mind, she should act as secretary +to Mrs. Lawson, who assists Dr. Winn +in his work.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe they don’t really mean to harm +her after all,” said Dorothy hopefully.</p> + +<p>“Janet is certain,” said Howard, “that +they want her at the Doctor’s for close observation. +She took a secretarial course at +school, so that part of it is all right, but I +believe with her that one slip, one sign that +she is deceiving them, will mean that she +will simply vanish and never be heard of +again. She knows that Lawson lied about +one thing: her father is still living in their +flat. She has heard his voice several times.”</p> + +<p>“But what I can’t understand,” said +Dorothy, “is why, just as soon as you knew +all this, you didn’t go to the nearest police +station and have that flat raided!”</p> + +<p>“Because, Janet won’t hear of it.” Howard’s +tone was thoroughly wretched. “I +worked out some other plans to release her, +but she refuses to budge.”</p> + +<p>“Is the girl crazy?” This from Bill.</p> + +<p>“No—she’s as sane as any of us—maybe +saner. She says that if the police are called +in or I help her to escape, that crew will +believe her father knew all the time that +she was faking—as of course he does. And +she says she is sure they will have him killed +out of hand, once they discover that. To +make matters worse, if possible, my firm +thinks I’m going to sail for Lima the day +after tomorrow! If I turn them down, I’ll +lose my job here and ruin my future. I’ve +been hoping against hope that something +would turn up so Janet could sail with me. +I certainly shall not sail without her. I was +buying some clothes for the trip when I ran +into you this morning—” Howard’s voice +trailed off hopelessly.</p> + +<p>“Gee!” It was evident that Dorothy was +not far from tears. “You poor dears are +in an awful fix! I do wish I could help you. +Do <em>something</em>—so that you two could get +married and sail for Peru!”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps you can.” Ashton Sanborn +knocked the ashes from his pipe into an +ash tray.</p> + +<p>“<em>How?</em>” shouted three voices simultaneously.</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch04' class='break'>Chapter IV<br /><br />MEET FLASH!</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>“Dorothy, have you ever done anything +in the way of amateur theatricals?” Ashton +Sanborn stroked the bowl of his pipe +reflectively.</p> + +<p>“Why—er—yes, a little.” She looked a +bit bewildered. “I’ve been in the Silvermine +Sillies for the past two years.”</p> + +<p>Sanborn nodded. “How is it you’re out +of school on a Thursday?” The question +seemed irrelevant. He was leaning back +in his chair now, surveying the ceiling +rather absently, but there was nothing lackadaisical +about his crisp tones.</p> + +<p>“Christmas holidays. Why?”</p> + +<p>“Because, if you’re willing, I may want +you to work for me for a few days. I suppose +I can reach your father by telephone +at the New Canaan bank?”</p> + +<p>“No, you can’t—Daddy is down in +Florida on a fishing trip. He’s on Mr. +Bolton’s yacht, somewhere off the coast. +They won’t be back until Christmas Eve.”</p> + +<p>“That,” said the Secret Service man, +“complicates matters. Who, may I ask, +is looking after Miss Dixon while Mr. +Dixon is away?”</p> + +<p>“I’m looking after my own sweet self, +sir.” Dorothy grinned roguishly.</p> + +<p>“Then who is to take the responsibility +for your actions, young lady?”</p> + +<p>“Why, you may—if you want to!”</p> + +<p>For a moment or two the detective +studied her thoughtfully. There was a certain +assurance about this girl’s manner, a +steely quality that came sometimes into her +grey eyes, an indefinable air of strength +and quiet courage—</p> + +<p>“Do you think you could impersonate +your cousin, Dorothy?”</p> + +<p>“Why—of course!” Dorothy showed +her surprise. “We look exactly alike. +Didn’t Howard take me for Janet?”</p> + +<p>“He did—but from what he has told us +about her, your natures are entirely different. Janet, from all accounts, is a rather +meek and demure young lady. Remember, +that in order to convince anyone who +knows her you would have to submerge +your own personality in hers. And nobody +would ever describe <em>you</em> as a meek, +demure young lady!”</p> + +<p>“An untamed wildcat—if you ask me,” +chuckled Bill.</p> + +<p>“Why, thanks a lot, William!” +Dorothy’s hearers were abruptly aware of +the changed quality of her voice as she continued +to speak in melting tones of pained +acceptance. “But nobody <em>did</em> ask you, darling, +so in future when your betters are +conversing, be good enough to button up +that lip of yours!” She finished her withering +tirade in the same quiet tones and with +a positively shrinking demeanor that sent +the others into shouts of laughter.</p> + +<p>“Say, you’re Janet to a T!” cried Howard. +“Her voice is always like that if I +happen to hurt her feelings.”</p> + +<p>“How about her hair, Howard? Is it +long or short?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, she wears it bobbed like yours.”</p> + +<p>“I suppose,” Dorothy said to Mr. Sanborn, +“that you want to smuggle me into +the flat and have me change places with +her?”</p> + +<p>“That’s the idea exactly,” admitted the +detective. “And I don’t want you to make +your decision until I explain my plan in detail—or, +rather, the necessity for the risk +you will be taking.”</p> + +<p>“Shoot—” said Miss Dixon, “but I can +tell you right now, risk or no risk, I’m +going through with it. Janet, after all +she’s been through and from what Howard +has told us, is bound to flop once she gets to +Dr. Winn’s. Nervous, and probably high +strung, the chances are against her being +able to hold up under the strain.”</p> + +<p>“I think you are right about that. But +although Janet is in serious danger, she +could be rescued and her father guarded +without bringing you into the picture, +Dorothy, if it were not for one thing. +These men who hold Janet in their custody +are in some way mixed up with Dr. Winn, +who has undertaken to make some very +important experiments for the United +States government.”</p> + +<p>“I make a bet that he is Number 1 of the +gang!” ventured Bill, the irrepressible.</p> + +<p>“Very possibly. That has yet to be discovered. +But what I want you young +people to realize is that this is no ordinary +gang. Quite evidently we are up against +an international organization. Their +treatment of Janet is concrete evidence of +their cold-blooded ruthlessness when they +believe their plans to be in jeopardy. If +you take your cousin’s place, Dorothy, of +course we will see that you are well guarded, +but even so, your part in clearing up this +mystery will entail a very great element of +risk.”</p> + +<p>“I’m willing to take the chance.” +Dorothy met his inquiring eyes steadily. +“Naturally, I’m sorry for Janet and I want +to help her. The only thing is, I’ve got to +be back at High School by January +fourth.”</p> + +<p>“I think I can promise you that this +job will be cleaned up within a week.”</p> + +<p>“I reckon,” smiled Bill, “that you haven’t +told us all you know about these lads with +numbers instead of names.”</p> + +<p>“Not quite all.” Sanborn smiled back at +him. “But that is neither here nor there +just now. By the way, Dorothy, how are +you on shorthand and typewriting?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, not so worse. It’s part of the course +I’m taking at New Canaan High.”</p> + +<p>“Good enough. Frankly, young lady, I +would not consider using you, had not the +New Canaan Bank robbery, the affair of +the Mystery Plane and the Conway Case +proved conclusively that you have a decided +flair for this kind of thing.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you, sir,” said Miss Dixon with +mock coyness. “Them kind words is a +great comfort to a poor workin’ goil. Do +I pack a gat wid me, Mister?”</p> + +<p>“You do not. In fact, you will take +nothing except what belongs to your +cousin. If I am able to get you into the +Jordan flat and they carry you up to Ridgefield +in her place, just being Janet Jordan, +who never woke up when she was sleepwalking +last week will be your best protection. +Of course, I’m not deserting you. +Either I or some of my men will find means +of keeping in touch with you constantly.”</p> + +<p>“And when the villains scrag me, the +secret service boys will arrive on the scene +just in time—to identify the deceased! No +thank you. If the gun is out of orders, +Flash will have to go. Of course my jiu +jitsu may help at a pinch, but Flash is more +potent and ever so much quicker.”</p> + +<p>“What are you talking about, Dorothy?” +Ashton Sanborn looked puzzled.</p> + +<p>“It’s a cinch you can’t drag a dog along +if that’s your big idea,” declared Bill.</p> + +<p>“It is not the big idea, old thing.” +Dorothy grinned wickedly. “Flash and I +have got very clubby this fall. He’s really +quite a dear, you know. We travel about +together a lot.”</p> + +<p>“The mystery of this age,” observed Bill, +“is how certain females can talk so much +and say so little.”</p> + +<p>“Then,” said Dorothy cheerfully, “I’ll +let you solve the mystery right now. +Catch!” She tossed him a macaroon from +a plate on the table. “Go over to that bedroom +door,” she commanded. “Stand to +one side of the door and throw that thing +into the air.”</p> + +<p>“But, I say, Dorothy!” interposed Ashton +Sanborn. “This is no time for fooling, +we’ve got—”</p> + +<p>“This is not fooling, you dear old fuss-budget,” +she cut in. “It’s—well, it’s just +something that may save you from worrying +so much about me. Now, Bill, are +you ready?”</p> + +<p>“Anything to please the ladies,” retorted +that young man wearily. He got up and +walked to the far end of the room and took +his stand beside the closed door. “Is Flash +a cake hound? Will he jump for the +cookie?”</p> + +<p>“He sure will—toss it in the air.”</p> + +<p>The small cake went spinning toward +the ceiling, and at the same instant +Dorothy’s right hand disappeared under +the table. With the speed of legerdemain +she brought it into view again and her arm +shot out suddenly like a signpost across the +white cloth. There was a streak of silver +light—and the three male members of the +quartet stared at the bedroom door in open-mouthed +wonder. Quivering in the very +center of its upper panel was a small knife, +and impaled on the knife’s blade was the +macaroon.</p> + +<p>“Meet Flash!” said Dorothy.</p> + +<p>“Great suffering snakes!” exploded Bill, +plucking out the blade, and examining it. +“The thing’s a throwing knife.”</p> + +<p>“Six inches of razor-keen, leaf-shaped +blade,” said Dorothy, “and three inches of +carved ivory hilt, beautifully balanced—that’s +Flash. How do you like him, fellers?”</p> + +<p>“You,” declared Howard, who was still +goggle-eyed with surprise, “you are the +most amazing girl I’ve ever met, Dorothy!”</p> + +<p>“And you don’t know the half of it,” said +Bill with unstinted fervor.</p> + +<p>“Think I can take care of myself at a +pinch, Uncle Sanborn?” Dorothy was +laughing at the expression of astonishment +on the detective’s face.</p> + +<p>“You win, young lady.” He chuckled +softly. “After this I’ll keep my worries for +Doctor Winn and his friends. Who’d have +thought you had anything like that up your +sleeve!”</p> + +<p>“Not up my sleeve, old dear. A little +leather sheath strapped just above my left +knee is where Flash came from.”</p> + +<p>“Regular Jesse James stuff, eh?” remarked +Bill as he handed back the knife.</p> + +<p>“Oh, yeah?” Flash disappeared as +quickly as he’d come, and Dorothy stood +up. “What’s on the boards, now, boss?” +she asked sweetly.</p> + +<p>“Howard—” said Ashton Sanborn, +“will you let me have the key to that apartment +of yours? Thanks. Bill and I will +need it this afternoon, and even if things go +according to Hoyle, we’ll be powerful +busy. In the meantime, I’ve got a job for +you and Dorothy.” He took out his pocketbook +and extracting a sheaf of bills, handed +them to the girl.</p> + +<p>“You and Howard are going to have a +busy afternoon, too. See that you’re back +here in time for dinner at seven, and—”</p> + +<p>“But what under the sky-blue canopy is +all this?” Dorothy was thumbing the bills, +counting them. “Why, I’ve never seen so +much money—”</p> + +<p>“Use it to buy your cousin a trousseau. +Have the things sent to Mrs. Howard +Bright’s apartment at this hotel. And remember, +that when she arrives here, Janet +will have nothing but the clothes she is +wearing. You don’t mind doing this, do +you?”</p> + +<p>“Mind! Why, I’ll love it!” Dorothy +turned a dazzling smile on Howard, who +was simply tongue-tied by the detective’s +announcement. “Isn’t he swell, Howard? +Isn’t he some guy?”</p> + +<p>Ashton Sanborn laughed. “Don’t thank +me. Uncle Sam is paying, so you needn’t +bring back any change.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy thrust the money into her purse. +“Don’t worry, old bean, I won’t. So long, +you two. Come on, Howard, we’re going +to have a beautiful afternoon!” She caught +young Bright by the arm and whirled him +across the room to the coat-rack. She +jammed a bright green beret over her right +ear and slung her leopard-cat coat onto her +shoulders. “All set for Fifth Avenue!” she +called out merrily as she preceded Howard +out of the room.</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch05' class='break'>Chapter V<br /><br />ON SECRET SERVICE</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>To say that Dorothy enjoyed her afternoon’s +shopping would be putting it +mildly. Give any girl plenty of money and +tell her to go out and buy an entire trousseau +for herself—or even for somebody +else—and watch her jump at the chance!</p> + +<p>Howard trailed along in more or less of +a daze. This sudden change in his outlook; +being drawn from the depths of despondency +to the hope of a future with the +girl he loved, and all in the space of a +couple of hours, was a little too much for +him to realize at once. Ever after, he had +but a hazy recollection of that shopping +tour. The afternoon seemed but a whirling +maze of lingerie, stockings, street +dresses, party frocks, coats, hats, shoes and +accessories, upon which his advice was invariably +asked, and never taken.</p> + +<p>They were bowling hotelwards in a +taxi, jammed with cardboard boxes and +packages of various shapes and sizes, before +he returned to normal.</p> + +<p>“Whew!” he looked at Dorothy. “I +should think you’d be dead!”</p> + +<p>She shook her head and laughed. “No +girl ever gets tired of shopping,” she told +him gaily. “Wait till you’re married—you’ll +find out.”</p> + +<p>“But what’s the idea of bringing all these +things back with us? I thought Mr. Sanborn +said to have them sent.”</p> + +<p>“He did—but I have a better idea. This +is part of it. I’ll tell you all about it when +we get to the hotel. Keep still now—I want +to go over the lists and see if I’ve forgotten +anything!”</p> + +<p>Howard sighed in resignation.</p> + +<p>At the hotel desk they learned that Ashton +Sanborn had not returned as yet, but +had left word that they should go to his +rooms. With the assistance of three bellboys, +they piled themselves and their packages +into the elevator.</p> + +<p>“Gee! This looks like the night before +Christmas!” Howard dropped his hat and +overcoat and stared at the boxes and +bundles piled along the wall of the sitting +room. “Janet certainly will be surprised +when she sees all those things!”</p> + +<p>Dorothy pulled off her close-fitting little +hat, and tossed it with her purse and coat +onto the table. Then she sank into an easy-chair. +“Well, I only hope she’ll approve. +My, this was a strenuous afternoon. You’d +better sit down.”</p> + +<p>Howard followed her advice. “You +said it. But I know Janet—she’ll be crazy +about the things you’ve bought.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, you boys are all alike.” Dorothy +yawned unashamedly.</p> + +<p>“I don’t get you.”</p> + +<p>“What I mean is that as soon as a fellow +goes round with a girl for a while, he invariably +says ‘Oh yes, she’ll like this,’ or, +‘she won’t like that’.”</p> + +<p>“And—?”</p> + +<p>“Ninety-nine times out of a hundred you +guess wrong.”</p> + +<p>“Why?”</p> + +<p>“I think it’s because girls like to do their +own choosing. Especially when it comes +to buying clothes. Well, anyway, I think +the things are darling, and they’ll be becoming, +too. At least they look well on +me.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t worry—those clothes will make +her look like a million dollars.”</p> + +<p>“I know they will. I’m tired, I guess.” +Dorothy yawned again and closed her eyes.</p> + +<p>Howard started to say something, +thought better of it, yawned, and let his +head pillow itself on the soft upholstery.</p> + +<p>Three quarters of an hour later, Ashton +Sanborn and Bill Bolton marched into the +room to find the two shoppers sound asleep +in their respective chairs. The detective +coughed discreetly and both the young +people awoke.</p> + +<p>“I see that you’ve brought your spoils +back with you,” he smiled, pointing to the +boxes and bundles. Dorothy stared at him, +only half awake, then sat upright in her +chair as she realized where she was.</p> + +<p>“Looks to me,” said Bill, getting out of +his overcoat, “as if she thought Janet was +going to start a shop of her own. Why did +you cart all the stuff back here instead of +having it sent?”</p> + +<p>“Because, Mr. Inquisitive—well, just +because. You and Howard run along now +and prepare your handsome selves for dinner. +The principles of this piece are going +into conference now.”</p> + +<p>“My <em>word</em>—” began Bill, but at a shake +of the head from Sanborn, he took the still +drowsy Howard by the arm and together +they disappeared into the bedroom.</p> + +<p>“Pretty tough time you’ve had, I expect?” +Mr. Sanborn’s eyes twinkled, +though his tone was grave.</p> + +<p>“Oh, but it was lots of fun,” cried +Dorothy. “Thanks to Uncle Sam, and +Uncle Sanborn! And look here, I’ve got +a great idea.”</p> + +<p>“Which has to do with your bringing +back the packages yourself?”</p> + +<p>“Quite right, it has. Do you think those +boys can hear what we’re saying?”</p> + +<p>“I doubt it, Dorothy—but Bill, as you +probably guessed at the end of the affair +of the Winged Cartwheels, is a full-fledged +member of my organization and—”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I don’t mind Bill,” she interrupted +in a low tone. “But Howard mustn’t get +wind of it. He might make a fuss.”</p> + +<p>She rose from her chair and going over +to the detective, began to whisper in his +ear.</p> + +<p>“But that’s impossible, Dorothy!” he +protested, although he allowed a smile to +come to his eyes. “And what’s more, my +dear, I’m afraid it would be illegal.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, no, it wouldn’t! Not if you—” +And again she brought her lips close to +his ear.</p> + +<p>“You’re a young scamp!” he laughed as +she ended. “But—well—you’re doing a +great deal for me, so—”</p> + +<p>“So you’ll go downstairs and start telephoning +right away!” she prompted +eagerly.</p> + +<p>Ashton Sanborn held up his hands in +mock despair. “Nieces,” he declared, +“should not badger hard-working old +uncles. But since this niece has been a +good girl today, Uncle will do as he’s +asked.”</p> + +<p>“I shall never call you anything else but +Uncle Sanborn, now,” Dorothy cried delightedly.</p> + +<p>“Thanks, my child, and I’ll do my best +for you.”</p> + +<p>“Angel uncles can do no more,” she +laughed.</p> + +<p>“Right-o. I’ll be on my way, then. +Come along in about fifteen minutes with +Bill and Howard. I’ll arrange for a table +for dinner and meet you three in Peacock +Alley.” The detective caught up his hat +and hurried out of the room.</p> + +<hr class='c007' /> + +<p>Although Mr. Sanborn was a perfect +host, and did all he could to make that +dinner entertaining, he confessed later that +he would always consider it one of the few +failures of an otherwise unblemished career.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding the delicious food, the +charm and beauty of the huge room with +its lights and music and scores of well-dressed +men and beautifully gowned +women, the dinner was not a success. All +three of the young people were too excited +by thoughts of what would happen later to +do justice to the meal. Dorothy, moreover, +had the added annoyance of feeling that +her tailored frock, smart enough for luncheon +or shopping, was definitely not the +thing to wear at dinner in a fashionable +hotel. Each endeavored to be sprightly +and at ease. But since they knew that the +one thing they wanted to talk about was forbidden +in public, conversation flagged. +Upstairs at last in Mr. Sanborn’s sitting +room, he came directly to the point.</p> + +<p>“Now I know you’re just rearing to go,” +he said. “And perhaps the sooner we get +under way, the better.” He turned to Bill. +“You go ahead with Howard,” he ordered. +“Dorothy and I will follow you in about +ten minutes. Go straight to the apartment. +We’ll meet you there.”</p> + +<p>“O and likewise K, boss,” Bill returned. +“Get into your rubbers, Howard. And +don’t look so gloomy. You’re on your way +to meet your best girl, remember.”</p> + +<p>When they had gone, Dorothy turned at +once to the detective. “How about it, +Uncle Sanborn?” she asked eagerly.</p> + +<p>“To quote Bill, ‘O and likewise K,’ +niece.”</p> + +<p>“Gee, you <em>are</em> a dear!” Dorothy clapped +her hands. “And now that that is that—I +don’t care what happens.”</p> + +<p>“But I do, Dorothy.” Ashton Sanborn +was serious. “Listen to me, young lady. +From now on you’re working for the U. S. +government, under me, and I must have my +orders obeyed to the letter.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir, I understand.” Dorothy’s +tone was crisp and business-like.</p> + +<p>“Good. I let those chaps go ahead of us +as there is no need of having us all arrive +at that apartment house at the same time. +This afternoon, Bill and I made all arrangements, +so that you can change places +with your cousin shortly after you arrive.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy felt secretly proud that this +keen-eyed secret service man took her at +her word, and did not ask her again if she +were really willing to go through with it. +“May I ask you a question?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly.”</p> + +<p>“Well, suppose that after you manage to +get me into Janet’s room, she refuses to +leave it. Do you want me to force her?”</p> + +<p>“Heavens, no.” Sanborn laughed. +“That has all been taken care of, Dorothy. +I talked to your cousin by means of +Howard’s headphone set shortly after dark +this afternoon. I explained the whole +thing to her and when she understood that +her father would be brought into no extra +danger because of our plan, and that I had +drafted you into becoming a secret service +operative, she consented.”</p> + +<p>“I’m glad of that,” said Dorothy fervently. +“She could easily have misunderstood +and spoiled everything.”</p> + +<p>“Well, we’ll have a lot to do to put it over, +even though Janet is willing. I persuaded +her that by doing exactly what you told her, +once you arrived, she would be serving her +country like a loyal American. You, of +course, will use your own judgment, when +you see her. The principal thing is to +change clothes and get her out the way you +came just as soon as possible.”</p> + +<p>“But how am I to get into the Jordans’ +apartment?”</p> + +<p>“Good soldiers, Dorothy, do not ask +questions. There’s no secret about it, but +I’ve other things to tell you now. Lawson +will probably come for you—or for Janet, +as he will believe you to be. He is a tall, +slender man, about thirty, rather good-looking, +dark curly hair and a small mustache. +Your Uncle Michael, if you should run +into him, is heavy set and rather short. He +has reddish hair, turning grey, and is clean +shaven. Janet has never met either Doctor +Winn, or Mrs. Lawson. Now just a word +about the lady. She is a very beautiful and +a very clever woman. Be on your guard +with her, continually. I believe that the +principal reason that you, or rather, Janet +Jordan, will be taken to Ridgefield, is so +that you may be studied at first hand by this +woman. There is no need for me to tell +you to keep up the Janet personality day +and night. Incidentally, you will have +only a very short time to study your cousin, +so make the most of it. Well,” he concluded, +“I guess that’s about all. You will +receive further orders within the next day +or two. In the meantime, simply carry on +as Janet Jordan. I am taking a great responsibility +in letting you go, my dear. For +I won’t hide the fact that you’d probably be +safer in a den of rattlesnakes than in the +same house with Mr. and Mrs. Lawson.”</p> + +<p>“I’m not afraid, you know,” said Dorothy +simply and smiled up at him.</p> + +<p>“I know you’re not. But it would really +be better if you were. For then you’d be +much more careful, and you must watch +your step every minute until I get you out +of it. Here’s your coat. Slip into it and +we’ll get going. The sooner I get you +safely into Janet’s room, and that young +lady out of it, the easier will your Uncle +Sanborn feel.”</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch06' class='break'>Chapter VI<br /><br />WHO’S WHO?</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>The December evening was cold and +wet as Dorothy and Ashton Sanborn +crossed the sidewalk and entered their taxi-cab. +The day had been a dreary one, and +now a dense, drizzling fog lay low upon +the great city. Dun-colored clouds +drooped over a muddy Park Avenue as +they were swept up town. On the side +streets the electrics were but misty splotches +of diffused light which threw feeble +circular glimmers upon the slimy pavements. +The yellow glare from shopwindows +streamed out into the chill, vaporous +air, and threw a murky, shifting radiance +across the crowded thoroughfare. To +Dorothy there was something eerie and +ghostlike in the endless procession of faces +which flitted across these narrow bars of +light. She was not in any respect a timid +girl, but the dull, heavy evening, and the +prospect of the strange venture in which +they were engaged, combined to make her +feel nervous and depressed.</p> + +<p>At 59th street the taxi turned west and +rolled steadily along the shining black asphalt, +stopping now and then for the red +lights. They crossed 5th Avenue and +swung into Central Park. Dorothy +caught glimpses of the gaunt shapes of +trees in silhouette against the cold fog. She +closed her eyes and resolutely turned her +thoughts to the events of the afternoon.</p> + +<p>So engrossed had she become in the contemplation +of her delightful buying orgy +that she was surprised when their cab +pulled up with a jerk and Ashton Sanborn +opened the door.</p> + +<p>“Muffle up in your fur collar, Dorothy,” +he said. “The fewer people who see your +face, the better.”</p> + +<p>Now that the ordeal had arrived, Dorothy’s +nervousness vanished. She buried +the lower part of her face in the soft fur +collar and walked at Mr. Sanborn’s side +into the lobby of the apartment house.</p> + +<p>A darkey in brass buttoned uniform +stood by the elevator. Two shining rows +of white teeth flashed in a smile of greeting +for the detective.</p> + +<p>“All the way up, George.” Mr. Sanborn +gave the order as the car started upward.</p> + +<p>“Yaas, suh, boss, I understand.” George +smiled again, and presently the elevator +stopped.</p> + +<p>With Mr. Sanborn in the lead, Dorothy +walked along a corridor and up a narrow +flight of stairs. The detective opened a door +at the top and the damp cold of the night +swept in upon them. A moment later they +were crossing the flat roof of the apartment +house toward a small group who +stood near the parapet at the roof’s edge. +As they drew nearer, she saw that the group +awaiting them was composed of Bill Bolton, +Howard, and a stranger. They were +standing beside a small crane.</p> + +<p>The secret service man nodded a greeting +and turned to Dorothy. “We are +directly above Janet’s window, which is +three flights below,” he said quietly, and +glanced at the luminous dial of his wrist-watch.</p> + +<p>“And you’re going to let me down with +the auto-crane?” she asked with just a +tremor of excitement in her voice.</p> + +<p>“That’s the idea. It’s perfectly safe. +Bill tested it this afternoon.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy gave a little laugh. “Oh, I’m +not scared, Uncle Sanborn.”</p> + +<p>“I know you aren’t, my dear.”</p> + +<p>“When do I take off?”</p> + +<p>“Whenever you’re ready.”</p> + +<p>“All set now, then, please.”</p> + +<p>“Good. You’ll go in a minute. Here +are last instructions. You will seat yourself +in that swinging seat that Bill is holding. +The cable to which it is attached runs +through the pulley at the end of the crane’s +arm. This building is nine stories high. +The Jordans’ flat is on the seventh floor, +you remember, so Janet’s window is the +third one down.” He moved to the low +parapet and leaned over. “The window is +dark, so everything is O.K.,” he said, coming +back to her. “Pull your seat in with you +when you enter, Dorothy, and pull down +the shade, of course, when the light is +turned on. When Janet is ready, switch +off the light again and have her give a +couple of pulls on this guide rope.” He +placed the rope in her hand. “Then we +will hoist her up. Ready for your hop +now?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, thanks.”</p> + +<p>“Good luck, then. And remember that +although you may not see us, I or some of +my men will be near you all the time.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy shook hands with her three +friends and stepped into her swinging seat. +She sat down, steadying herself with a grip +on the cable.</p> + +<p>“All serene?” asked Bill.</p> + +<p>“Shove off!” said Dorothy.</p> + +<p>Bill motioned to the stranger, there came +the low whir of an electric motor. Her +feet left the roof and she felt herself swung +upward. Then the ascent stopped, the arm +of the crane swung outward and with it her +pendant seat. Her feet cleared the parapet +and she was over the narrow airshaft.</p> + +<p>Blurred lights from closed windows of +the various apartments gave her a glimpse +of many empty ashcans in the small courtyard +far below. But the crane was lowering +her now close to the wall of the building. +She was facing the wall, and looking +upward she made out four heads leaning +over the parapet at the edge of the roof.</p> + +<p>The descent was slow, but at last she +passed two windows and came to rest beside +the third, whose lower sash she saw +was open. Then two arms caught her about +the knees and she was pulled into the room.</p> + +<p>“Dorothy—oh, Dorothy!” sobbed an +excited voice so like her own that Dorothy +gave a start.</p> + +<p>“Well, here I am, Janet.” It was a prosaic +reply, but her own heart was beating +quickly, nevertheless. “Gee, it’s dark in +here! Be a dear and shut down the window +on this cable—and draw the shade, +then turn on the light. I’m busy getting +out of this thing.”</p> + +<p>She heard the window and shade come +down with a rush. As she stepped free of +her conveyance, the lights flashed on, and +the cousins flew into each other’s arms.</p> + +<p>“Janet!”</p> + +<p>“Dorothy!”</p> + +<p>For a long moment the girls hugged +each other and Janet, the more over-wrought, +sobbed on her cousin’s shoulder.</p> + +<p>Dorothy was herself deeply touched, but +managed to control her feelings. “Come, +dear,” she said at last. “We’ll just have to +get going, I guess. They’re waiting for +you on the roof—and somebody is likely +to come to the door. We mustn’t be caught +together, you know.”</p> + +<p>“I know it.” Janet released her and +again Dorothy gasped, for she heard her +own voice speaking although the words +came from Janet.</p> + +<p>“Look, Dorothy!” Janet pointed to a +long mirror in the corner of the room. “I +knew that we were a lot alike, but I never +could have believed—”</p> + +<p>“Well, talk about two peas in a pod!” In +the glass Dorothy saw herself standing beside +her cousin; and had it not been that +she wore a coat and hat, while Janet was +dressed in a wine-colored silk frock, she +would have had difficulty in knowing +which was her own reflection. “Maybe +I’m half an inch taller, or hardly that,” she +said after a bit. “Lucky we both have had +our hair shingled. You wear a bang, +though—but that’s easily fixed.”</p> + +<p>She whipped off her small hat and went +over to the dressing table where she picked +up a pair of nail scissors. Two minutes of +snipping and Janet’s bang was duplicated +on her own forehead. The hair she had +cut off had been carefully placed on a +magazine cover and opening the window a +trifle she dropped the ends into the night.</p> + +<p>“Now,” she said, closing the window. +“You and I had better change clothes, +Janet. And we’ll have to make it snappy.”</p> + +<p>“Yes—and oh dear—” Janet was slipping +off her dress—“I’ve got so much to +talk about. You can’t realize what a horrible +time I’ve had—and then to find you, +only to lose you again!” Janet was very +near to tears.</p> + +<p>“But you won’t lose me long,” Dorothy +flashed her a comforting smile as she got +out of her own dress. “Meanwhile, you’ll +have Howard. He’s waiting on the roof, +now. And Ashton Sanborn says he can +clear up this business in a few days.”</p> + +<p>“You certainly are wonderfully brave to +do this for me,” sighed her cousin. “If Mr. +Sanborn hadn’t insisted that by changing +places with you I’d be really helping the +government, I couldn’t allow you to do it. +As it is, I feel I’m cowardly to go through +with it—”</p> + +<p>“Why, you’re nothing of the sort,” Dorothy +protested. While Janet talked and they +both undressed, she watched her cousin’s +mannerisms, storing away in her memory, +for future use, every gesture, and inflection +of the voice so like her own.</p> + +<p>“Who’s who?” she giggled, and now her +tone was softer, an exact duplication of +Janet’s manner of speaking.</p> + +<p>Her cousin smiled. “In our undies,” she +admitted, “even I am beginning to wonder +if I’m not seeing double and talking to myself. +How about shoes and stockings, +Dorothy?”</p> + +<p>“Chuck ’em over, Janet, we’d better do +it up right. I sp’ose most of your things +are packed in that wardrobe trunk over +there?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. I packed it this afternoon. +You’ll find some handkerchiefs and gloves +in the top bureau drawer. I left the trunk +open on purpose. When Mr. Lawson +comes, you might be putting them in—it +would help to make things natural.”</p> + +<p>“Right you are—that’s a good idea.”</p> + +<p>“My arctics and my hat and coat are in +the closet. Your coat is much better looking +than mine. It’s a shame to take it from +you.”</p> + +<p>“What’s a coat between cousins who love +each other?” laughed Dorothy and put on +Janet’s dress.</p> + +<p>A few minutes later, the change of clothing +had been made, and the girls regarded +each other in awed wonder.</p> + +<p>“I’ll bet,” Dorothy declared, “that when +Howard sees you he’ll think I’ve come +back again.”</p> + +<p>Janet blushed. “Well, he’ll soon find +out different. But it’s a shame to leave you +here, darling. If there were <em>only</em> some +other way!”</p> + +<p>“But there isn’t. So cut along now, and +just remember that this kind of thing is my +stuff—I love it.”</p> + +<p>“Some day I’ll make it up to you—if I +ever can!”</p> + +<p>Dorothy hesitated for a moment, then +smiled. “You can do it tonight, if you want +to.”</p> + +<p>“Why—what do you mean?”</p> + +<p>“Just follow any suggestions that Mr. +Sanborn may make.”</p> + +<p>“But, what does that—you’re hiding +something from me!”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps I am.”</p> + +<p>“What is it?”</p> + +<p>“Never mind, now.”</p> + +<p>“But, Dorothy—”</p> + +<p>“No time for that, Janet. Get into that +swing arrangement with your back to the +window.”</p> + +<p>“All right, but kiss me goodbye, first.”</p> + +<p>They held each other close for a second. +Then as Janet took her place on the seat +attached to the steel cable, Dorothy +switched off the light.</p> + +<p>“I’ll—I’ll do as you ask, I mean, about +Mr. Sanborn,” whispered Janet.</p> + +<p>“Thanks, darling, I—” began Dorothy, +her hand on the window sash ready to raise +it. Then suddenly she stopped.</p> + +<p>Somebody was unlocking the door into +the hall.</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch07' class='break'>Chapter VII<br /><br />PLAYING A PART</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>Dorothy ran to the door and caught hold +of the knob. “Who’s there?” she cried.</p> + +<p>“It’s I—Martin Lawson, Janet. May I +come in?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, please, Mr. Lawson, not right +now.” There was a soft tone of pleading in +her voice. “You see, I’ve been lying down +and I’m not quite dressed.”</p> + +<p>“But I thought I heard you speaking.”</p> + +<p>“You did.” The real Janet, shivering by +the window, caught her breath and heard +Dorothy’s tone sharpen slightly. “To myself. +Being cooped up like this for hours +on end, I’m glad to hear the sound of my +own voice. I often read aloud. But I’ll +be ready shortly, if you want me.”</p> + +<p>“All right, then. I’ll be back in five +minutes. Your father is here and he wants +to say goodbye.”</p> + +<p>The key turned in the lock and with her +ear close to the panel Dorothy was sure she +could hear the faint tread of footsteps retreating +down the hall. With her heart +pumping sixty to the second, she dashed +back to Janet and carefully raised the window.</p> + +<p>“Heavens! that was a narrow squeak—” +her cousin whispered shakily. “What +nerve you’ve got! I nearly fainted—”</p> + +<p>“Never mind,” Dorothy whispered +back, “you’ve got to get out of here—and +right now!”</p> + +<p>“Oh, but I can’t, Dorothy. I’m afraid!”</p> + +<p>Dorothy gave the signal rope two savage +pulls. Almost immediately the cable began +to tighten. “Close your eyes and hang +on with both hands,” she ordered.</p> + +<p>“But Dorothy—I’ll scream—I’m going +to—I know it!”</p> + +<p>“No, you won’t!” Quickly Dorothy +clasped the frightened girl’s fingers around +the taut cable. A dive into the pocket of +Janet’s coat brought forth her own handkerchief +which she hurriedly crumpled +into a ball and thrust into her cousin’s +mouth. The seat, with Janet in it, was rising +slowly. She caught the paralyzed girl +below the knees, steadied her as the crane +drew its burden clear of the sill and pushed +her carefully into the outer darkness. +When Janet’s feet were on a level with the +upper sash, she pulled down the window +and shade and switched on the light again.</p> + +<p>“Skies above!” Her breath came in +short gasps and she leaned against the end +of the bed to steady herself. “Talk about +your thrills! That was worse than my first +solo hop, by a long shot.” She ran her fingers +through her short hair. “Let’s see—what +next? Oh, yes—I was supposed to +be lying down.”</p> + +<p>She caught up a book from the table and +tossed it open onto the bed. Then she lay +down, rumpled the coverlet, made sure that +the pillow showed the impression of her +head, and sprang up again. An adventurous +past had taught her the need of being +thorough.</p> + +<p>She went to the window and raising it, +looked out and upward. Neither Janet +nor the crane were in sight. Thankful that +her cousin was safe at last, she pulled down +the sash.</p> + +<p>Two or three minutes later, when the +door was unlocked, the two men who entered +surprised her in the business of packing +the contents of the top bureau drawer +into Janet’s wardrobe trunk.</p> + +<p>And now came as pretty a piece of acting +as has ever been seen upon the stage; +acting that Dorothy’s audience of two must +not realize was acting, and furthermore, +one of these men was the father of the girl +she impersonated. Why hadn’t she remembered +to ask Janet what she called that +mysterious father of hers? Father, Papa, +Dad, Daddy—which should she use? A +mistake now would be fatal. Even her +uncle must not become aware of her real +identity. There was no time for hesitating. +He was speaking now.</p> + +<p>“Janet, my dear—” he began.</p> + +<p>Dorothy ran to her uncle and throwing +her arms about his neck, buried her head +on his shoulder. “How could you leave me +like this?” she wailed. “Why do you let +these people keep me locked in my room? +And now they are going to take me away!” +Her voice grew louder, almost hysterical. +She sobbed pathetically and clutched him +a little tighter.</p> + +<p>“My dear child—you mustn’t cry this +way—you really mustn’t!” Mr. Jordan +patted her back in the silly way men do +when they want to be comforting. “Mr. +Lawson and his wife will look after you in +the country, while your Daddy is away.”</p> + +<p>She released the embarrassed man, and +pulling a handkerchief from his breast +pocket, dabbed her eyes with the cambric +until she felt certain they looked bloodshot +enough to pass inspection. “But I don’t +<em>want</em> to go, Daddy. Please don’t let them +take me,” she begged, her voice trembling +as though she was using all her will power +to gain self control. “If you can’t take me +with you, why can’t I go back to school?”</p> + +<p>“But that’s impossible, Janet. You are +going to be Mrs. Lawson’s secretary. +Don’t be foolish. All arrangements have +been made.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I’m eighteen,” said Dorothy with +a show of temper. “My mother was a year +younger than that when she ran away and +married you. I am no longer a child. I +don’t like being packed off like—like a bag +of potatoes.”</p> + +<p>“Are there any other reasons why you +don’t want to come to Ridgefield with me?” +Mr. Lawson spoke for the first time. His +words fairly dripped with suspicion.</p> + +<p>“Yes, there are.” Dorothy turned on +him angrily. “Daddy goes off on a trip, +and for reasons which appear to be a secret, +you keep me locked in my room for more +than a week, Mr. Lawson. And you seem +to wonder why I resent it.”</p> + +<p>“But you have been ill, my dear Janet.”</p> + +<p>“If I’m so ill, why has no doctor been to +see me?” Her voice was full of scorn.</p> + +<p>“I have been keeping you under observation +myself.”</p> + +<p>“Quite possibly. I’ve been allowed to +see nobody except that maid who acts as if +she were deaf and dumb. If you are trying +to tell me that I’m mentally deranged, I +won’t stand for it! The mere fact that you +now propose that I act as your wife’s +secretary proves that you consider me +capable. What right have you to keep me +a prisoner in my own home? Who are +you, Mr. Martin Lawson, to take upon +yourself the regulating of my life?” +Dorothy burst into angry tears.</p> + +<p>“But my <em>dear</em> child—” protested Mr. +Jordan. “I’ve never seen you behave like +this—”</p> + +<p>“No! And up to now,” she stormed, her +eyes flashing, “you’ve never given me +cause. In the first place I’m no longer a +child—you forget that—and then—what +kind of a life did you give me as a child? +You are my father and you say that you +love me, but can you expect deep affection +from a daughter whom you ship to boarding +school at five? You wouldn’t even let +me visit friends during the holidays. For +years at a time you never took the trouble +to come and see me. How can you expect +love and obedience after years of neglect?” +She drew a sobbing breath, then went on: +“For a while we traveled—you were nice +to me—I enjoyed it. We settled down here. +I forgave what you’d done to my childhood. +I tried to make this flat a home for you, +even though I was kept like a cloistered +nun and you allowed me no friends. But +this is going too far.”</p> + +<p>“And what, may I ask, are you going to +do about it?” inquired Lawson with a disagreeable +smile.</p> + +<p>“What can a defenseless girl without +friends do to stop two big bullies? I shall +go with you, Mr. Lawson, because I can’t +help myself. But don’t expect me to like +being used as a slave, even though I may be +of some comfort to that long-suffering wife +of yours. Oh, that makes you angry, does +it? Well, let me tell you, that you are not +half as angry as I am. You can practice +your strong-arm methods on defenseless +women and get away with it—some day +you’ll try it on a man—and by the time he +gets through thrashing you there won’t be +enough left for the boneyard.” She flashed +a smile of contempt on the furious man, +and turned to Mr. Jordan who was speaking +again.</p> + +<p>“What has come over you, Janet?” he +was saying. “I’ve never heard you speak +so rudely to anyone before. You’ve always +been such a quiet little mouse—”</p> + +<p>“And you’ve taken advantage of it,” she +interrupted. “What you forget is that even +a mouse will turn and fight when it’s cornered. +If you really loved me—if you had +a spark of manhood in your selfish body, +you’d thrash this man to within an inch of +his life and throw him into the street. Get +out of here—both of you!” she cried hysterically. +“And please—no more silly +arguments—I don’t want to be forced to +say before outsiders what a contemptible +person my father is proving himself to be.”</p> + +<p>This last tirade seemed to stun Mr. Jordan. +From the almost agonized expression +on his face, she saw that at last conscience +was at work. The man was utterly +miserable. He could not hide it.</p> + +<p>“Will you—will you be ready to leave in +half an hour, Janet?” His voice was a +mere whisper and shook with suppressed +feeling.</p> + +<p>“Yes, I’ll be ready. Go now, please—both +of you!” She turned her back on +them and walking over to the window, she +threw up the shade and the sash. As she +stood there staring into the night, she heard +them leave the room.</p> + +<p>This time the door shut without being +locked. Dorothy streaked across the floor +and pressed her ear to the keyhole. Just +outside the men were talking.</p> + +<p>“You’re a fool, Lawson, if you still think +that Janet wasn’t asleep during the meeting,” +she heard her uncle say. “Tonight +proves it. And let me tell you this. From +now on, my business and my home shall be +kept separate and distinct. Never again +will I allow myself to be placed in a position +to be dressed down by my own daughter. +There was no comeback either. +Every word she said was gospel truth. +It’s a terrible thing when a daughter makes +her father realize what a low, cowardly +creature he is at heart. Well, how about +it? Aren’t you now convinced of her innocence?”</p> + +<p>“I am.” Lawson clipped off the words, +and as he went on speaking, there was insolence +as well as a hint of nervousness in +his tone. “But when it comes to giving me +a thrashing, Number 5—well, I shouldn’t +try it if I were you—not if you value your—er—health!”</p> + +<p>“Stop talking like a fool!” retorted +Janet’s father. “Is the girl to be sent to +Ridgefield or not?”</p> + +<p>“Now you’re talking rot, yourself,” +snapped Lawson. “You know quite as +well as I do that Laura won’t take our word +for it. She told me this morning that any +clever woman or girl for that matter, could +twist a man around her finger without half +trying. Laura wants to study your daughter +herself—and that’s all there is to it.”</p> + +<p>“I hope Mrs. Lawson has a pleasant time +of it.” Mr. Jordan said sarcastically. “But +I’m afraid my hope will not be granted.”</p> + +<p>“Laura,” answered that lady’s husband, +“can be rather disagreeable herself when +she’s roused. Let us hope for Janet’s sake, +that she doesn’t try her tantrums on my +wife. By the way, what are you doing +now?”</p> + +<p>“Getting away just as fast as I can, thank +you. No more scenes for me, tonight. I +wouldn’t meet Janet on her way out of here +for a million dollars!”</p> + +<p>They moved further along the hall and +Dorothy went slowly back to the window. +Across the narrow court, two flights up, +the shaded windows of Howard Bright’s +flat shone a dull golden yellow in the black +wall. For several minutes she stood watching +the windows, her thoughts upon what +she had done and what she had just heard.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, shadows appeared on one of +the yellow rectangles. The shade was +raised and framed in the window were +Janet and Howard. Just behind them +stood a stranger who wore the round, conventional +collar of a clergyman. The +young couple were smiling happily. Both +waved, and Janet held up her left hand.</p> + +<p>Dorothy knew the significance of that +gesture, and threw them a kiss. Then she +saw the shade roll down, and she turned +away.</p> + +<p>“And so they were married and lived +happily ever after.” She sighed. “Uncle +Sanborn kept his promise, like the fine old +sport he is.”</p> + +<p>She stuffed the last of Janet’s belongings +into the trunk, slammed it shut and +locked it.</p> + +<p>“Now for the dirty work—and Laura +Lawson.” She smiled grimly and went to +the closet for Janet’s hat and coat.</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch08' class='break'>Chapter VIII<br /><br />“WALK INTO MY PARLOR”</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>The sedan, with Martin Lawson driving +and Dorothy beside him, purred smoothly +through the dank, cold night. Now that +they were past the realm of traffic lights, it +lopped off the miles between them and +Ridgefield with the regularity of an electric +saw cutting planks from a log.</p> + +<p>During the entire journey, now nearly +over, Dorothy had spoken no word to the +man beside her. She wanted him to believe +that she was still furiously angry. As +a matter of fact, she had felt antagonistic +toward him from the first moment she laid +eyes upon him; his smug overgrooming, +the highly polished fingernails, the small +waxed moustache and too immaculate +clothing, all repelled her. She knew at +once what it had taken Janet some time to +realize: Martin Lawson might be and +probably was a very clever man; he was, on +the other hand, a man to be wary of. His +manner was just a little too complacent, +too smooth. Notwithstanding the forewarning +she had received regarding his +character, Dorothy knew instinctively that +he was not genuine and not a trustworthy +person in any respect. She detested him +thoroughly.</p> + +<p>He was a careful driver, she gave him +credit for that. They found little traffic to +impede their progress along the Boston +Post Road, once the long tentacles of the +great city were left behind. But the black +swath of highway leading out and on from +their moisture-coated headlights glistened +wetly in their reflection. After they turned +into the hills behind Stamford, heading for +the Connecticut Ridge Country, the road +for a mile or more at a stretch was covered +with wet leaves. They crawled along at +a snail’s pace to prevent skidding and a +crash into the New England stone fences +that rambled along the roadside dividing +woodland from the rolling meadows.</p> + +<p>Just beyond New Canaan, they drove +past Dorothy’s home and Bill Bolton’s, for +the properties faced each other across the +ridge road. Before they reached Vista it +was raining dismally, and Lawson had the +windshield wiper going. Dorothy was +thankful that the sixty-mile journey from +New York was nearly over. At last they +reached the outskirts of Ridgefield, and the +car swung into a driveway between high +pillars of native stonework. In the glow +from the electric globes on the gate posts, +the blue stone driveway curved and twisted +like a huge snake, winding through landscaped +lawns and gardens as formal and +precise as a public park.</p> + +<p>It was raining harder now, and Dorothy +could see nothing beyond the path of their +headlights. Although she had never been +in the grounds before, she had driven past +the Winn place numbers of times. Finally, +she made out the bulk of a great stone +house. Martin Lawson stopped the car +beneath a porte-cochere. They had arrived.</p> + +<p>Massive doors of wrought iron and glass +swung open. A butler and two footmen +in livery ran down the steps. The butler, +a tall, important-looking individual, +snapped open the car door.</p> + +<p>“Good evening, Mr. Lawson,” he said. +“Good evening, Miss.”</p> + +<p>The voice with its high-pitched Oxford +drawl still smacked of Whitechapel. Dorothy, +who had travelled in England, was +sure that under stress, the cockney in this +personage would come out. She knew he +was careful of his aitches.</p> + +<p>“Good evening, Tunbridge,” Lawson +returned briskly, and Dorothy smiled +pleasantly. “Is Mrs. Lawson still up?”</p> + +<p>“Madam is awaiting you in the library, +sir.” Tunbridge helped Dorothy to alight +and handed Janet’s overnight bag to a footman. +“Jones,” he said to the other flunky, +as Lawson stepped out of the car, “drive +round to the service entrance. Miss Jordan’s +box is in the back of the car. See that +it is taken up to the Pink Bedroom and have +Hanley garage the motor-car.”</p> + +<p>“Very good, sir,” returned the man, and +he got into the automobile.</p> + +<p>Tunbridge ushered them up the broad +stone steps. Dorothy caught a last glimpse +of a leafless, dripping hedge across the +drive, and the giant skeleton arms of a tree +that seemed to menace earth and sky; then +she entered the house, wondering what the +next act of this strange drama would bring +forth.</p> + +<p>She found herself in an enormous hall, +furnished with objects such as she had +never seen outside a museum. Elaborately +carved oak, suits of armor, stone urns, +portraits, a wide stone staircase mounting +upward to surrounding galleries, stained +glass windows, tigers’ and lions’ heads, antlers +of tremendous size, strange and beautiful +weapons, all ranged in confusion +before her eyes and suggested a baronial +castle rather than the home of an American +scientist, in the Connecticut hills.</p> + +<p>Tunbridge led to a door on the right, +where he knocked, then opened, as a +muffled “Come in” was heard.</p> + +<p>“Miss Jordan and Mr. Lawson, +Madam,” announced the butler, and he +stood aside to let them pass.</p> + +<p>Dorothy walked into a room whose walls +seemed built of books. The furniture was +richly attractive and looked luxuriously +comfortable. A fire blazed in a fine chimney +and a table near it was set with a glitter +of splendid silver and hot water plates below +shining metal covers.</p> + +<p>A tall, superbly beautiful woman, with +dark eyes and coal-black hair that grew in a +widow’s peak on her brow, rose from a +chair on the wide hearth and came toward +them. Her clear, white skin, and a broad +streak of silver across the black hair gave +her a strangely ethereal appearance, as +though she might have been a being from +another planet. The hand she held out to +Dorothy was exquisitely formed, the fingers +long and tapering.</p> + +<p>“How do you do, Janet,” she said +pleasantly. “Welcome to Winncote. You +are later than we expected. The Doctor has +gone to bed, but he left his greetings.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you,” Dorothy returned formally +and shook hands. “You are very +kind, Mrs. Lawson.”</p> + +<p>Laura Lawson gave her a smile, but the +girl saw that it was a smile of the lips alone, +her dark eyes remained somber. “Did you +have a breakdown?” she asked her husband, +taking notice of him for the first +time.</p> + +<p>“Slippery roads—it was impossible to +do much more than crawl, Laura.” He +lifted a dish cover on the table and inspected +its contents. “Glad you thought +to order supper—I’m famished.”</p> + +<p>“So am I,” admitted his wife and her +words seemed to carry a double meaning. +“It’s long after three. Come over here by +the fire and get warm, Janet. Now Tunbridge—if +you’ll please serve us?”</p> + +<p>Tunbridge seated them at the supper +table and uncovered the dishes.</p> + +<p>“Just a light meal,” announced the hostess, +“scrambled eggs, toast and cocoa, but +it will warm you up and help you last until +breakfast.”</p> + +<p>“It looks delicious!” said Dorothy, who +discovered at the sight of food that she was +starving. In fact all three were hungry, +and for some little time conversation was +dropped while the soft-footed Tunbridge +waited upon them.</p> + +<p>“We will have a chat tomorrow, Janet,” +Mrs. Lawson said presently. “Tonight you +are tired and so am I. We take breakfast +in our rooms. Ring for it when you’re +ready, but don’t hurry about getting up, +I’ll see you down here about eleven-thirty. +Have you had enough to eat and drink, my +dear?”</p> + +<p>“Plenty, thank you, Mrs. Lawson.” +Dorothy thought it would be just as well if +she played the demure mouse until she had +a chance to size up her employer.</p> + +<p>“Then I think we’ll go upstairs, Janet, +and I’ll show you your room.” She looked +at her husband. “You’ll be coming up +soon, Martin?”</p> + +<p>“Just as soon as I finish this pipe, and get +a bit warmer.”</p> + +<p>“I think,” said Mrs. Lawson, “that both +you and Janet had better take a hot lemonade +before you go to bed. I don’t want to +have you both laid up with colds tomorrow.” +She smiled solicitously at the girl.</p> + +<p>“I hate the filthy stuff,” protested her husband.</p> + +<p>“Don’t be ridiculous,” she answered +coldly and turned to the butler. “Tunbridge, +have hot lemonades sent to Miss +Jordan and Mr. Lawson in about twenty +minutes, if you please.”</p> + +<p>“Very good, madam.”</p> + +<p>Laura Lawson slipped her arm through +Dorothy’s. “Don’t be long, Martin.”</p> + +<p>“I won’t. Good night, Janet.”</p> + +<p>“Good night, Mr. Lawson.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lawson seemed lost in thought as +they slowly mounted the stone stairs. Suddenly +she began chattily: “Men are such +stupid creatures, Janet. So stupid about +taking medicine or anything else that may +be good for them. Martin and that hot +lemonade is a case in point. I hope that +you haven’t any foolish ideas like that?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, no, indeed. I’m rather fond of it.”</p> + +<p>“That’s fine. Now promise me you’ll +get into bed and drink it just as hot as possible. +There’s nothing better to ward off +a cold, and you’ll sleep like a top into the +bargain. Well, here’s your room, my dear. +It’s late, so I won’t come in, but I think +you’ll find all you need to make you comfortable. +If you want anything, ring. +Good night, Janet. Sleep well.”</p> + +<p>“I’m sure I will, Mrs. Lawson. Good +night.”</p> + +<p>The older woman passed along the gallery +and Dorothy entered her bedroom. It +was a good-sized room, attractively furnished +with everywhere evidence of a +woman’s taste. Pink-shaded electric candles +gleamed from the walls papered in +cream and scattered with tiny pink rosebuds. +The small grey-painted bed displayed +pink pillow cases, sheets and blankets. +A dainty writing desk in one corner +of the room was also painted grey as was +the chaise longue and the chairs, where the +upholstery carried out the note of pink. A +soft grey rug, pink-bordered, covered the +floor, and Dorothy’s feet sank into its thick, +warm pile as she investigated her new +quarters. She saw that the room was nearly +square, and opposite the door a rounded +alcove sheltered a bow window, hung with +pink taffeta, and the window seat below it +was cushioned in pink.</p> + +<p>In a corner against the wall stood Janet’s +wardrobe trunk, and near it was a door that +led into a spacious closet. Dorothy hung +her coat on a padded hanger, and then +looked into the rose and onyx tiled bath.</p> + +<p>As she re-entered the bedroom she +stopped short in surprise. A small piece of +white paper protruded from beneath the +door to the gallery. Quickly she stooped, +snatched the paper and opened the door. +The gallery was empty. Crossing to the +balustrade she looked down upon the great +entrance hall. That also was deserted and +nobody was to be seen on the staircase.</p> + +<p>She turned back, closed and locked her +door. Then she spread out the paper she +had crumpled in her hand. Printed on one +side in pencil she read the words:</p> + +<p>“BE ON YOUR GUARD. DO NOT +DRINK THE LEMONADE. DESTROY +THIS AT ONCE.”</p> + +<p>“Now I wonder...” Dorothy muttered +softly, “who sent me this note?”</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch09' class='break'>Chapter IX<br /><br />IN THE NIGHT</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>Dorothy turned over the piece of paper +to find as she expected that the other side +was blank. No signature. Nothing but the +double warning, and the admonition to destroy +the missive and to do so at once. Evidently +the writer either believed or knew +for certain that she would shortly be disturbed. +There was no fireplace in the bedroom. +Even though she tore the note into +bits, some of the scraps might be found and +pieced together should she throw them out +the window; and her room might be +searched at any time. How could she make +way with it? For a moment or two Dorothy +was at a loss. Mechanically her fingers +tore the paper into fine shreds.</p> + +<p>Then she smiled. “I guess we’ll let the +plumbing take care of you,” she said, gazing +down on the little pile of paper on her +palm, and she disappeared into the bathroom.</p> + +<p>When she returned, Dorothy opened +Janet’s over-night bag, took out a pair of +green silk pajamas, bedroom slippers and +toilet accessories, among which was a new +toothbrush in a case. This, and the underwear +she had on were the only belongings +of her own that she had retained.</p> + +<p>From Janet’s purse, she extracted the +trunk key. After some rummaging in that +large travelling wardrobe, she found a +quilted bathrobe of pale pink satin on a +hanger toward the back. It was too late to +unpack entirely, and she was about to close +and relock the trunk, when she decided to +leave it open. The Janet Jordan she was +portraying had never waked up at the +famous meeting of last week. That Janet +would feel outraged at her imprisonment, +her father’s seeming callousness and would +naturally be furious at being packed up +here willy-nilly: but she would have no +cause to be suspicious of these people in +this big stone house. If she had locked the +trunk—Dorothy realized she had almost +made a mistake, although a minor one—and +in her present position mistakes were +dangerous affairs.</p> + +<p>Although it was very late and the day had +been a strenuous one Dorothy did not feel +tired. While she undressed, she went over +in her mind the new vistas opened up by +this mysterious note she had just destroyed. +As she dissected it word by word from +memory, she was astonished to find that the +scrap of paper carried much interesting information +between the lines.</p> + +<p>Undoubtedly, Ashton Sanborn had +planted a member of his organization in +the house, but how that had been possible, +she could not imagine. First of all, there +was the warning to be on her guard. That +Mrs. Lawson was indicated she had no +doubt. Her hostess, while seeming most +charming and courteous, had nevertheless +suggested the hot lemonade which the note +told her not to drink. It was quite likely +that her unknown adviser had reason to +think that the lemonade would be drugged. +And then these people could hardly mean +to poison her so soon after her arrival. For +their whole idea in bringing her to Winncote, +as she understood it, was to make sure +whether the real Janet had heard their secrets +or not. No—they merely wanted her +to sleep soundly. But why?</p> + +<p>Dorothy pondered on this for several +minutes. There could be only one reason, +she decided. Somebody was planning to +enter her bedroom tonight, and wished to +do so without her knowledge. What their +purpose might be she could not guess and +she did not bother about it. To a girl of a +nervous temperament, such as Janet Jordan, +the knowledge that such a visit was +planned and success arranged for by means +of a drug, would have been torture. But +Dorothy, who could feel “Flash” in his +holster just above her knee was merely +worried for fear that lemonade or no +lemonade she would fall asleep. The arrival +here had been uneventful enough +after what had happened at the Jordans’ +apartment. At least, to all outward appearances it had been smooth sailing. She was +beginning to realize that nothing with +these people was what it seemed to be. She +had climbed her Vesuvius and was standing +at the crater’s edge. Already the first +rumblings of the eruption had been heard.</p> + +<p>Her position, though seemingly secure, +was nothing of the kind. The sooner Ashton +Sanborn gave her the orders he had +promised, and she could carry them out and +get away from this place, the better for +Dorothy Dixon. And yet she could not +help a feeling of exhilaration.</p> + +<p>There came a gentle knock on her door. +Wearing her quilted wrapper and slippers +she turned the key and opened to—the imposing +Tunbridge. He bore a small tray +on which stood a steaming tumbler, a bowl +of sugar, two spoons and a napkin. “Your +hot lemonade, Miss Jordan,” he announced +in his pompous voice and rather as though +he were offering her a priceless gift. “Mrs. +Lawson’s instructions are to drink it after +you get in bed, Miss. May I mention also +that it is very hot?”</p> + +<p>Dorothy took the tray. “Thank you, +Tunbridge, I’ll be careful. Good night!”</p> + +<p>“Good night, Miss.”</p> + +<p>The butler departed in the direction of +the stairway, and Dorothy closed the door +and locked it again.</p> + +<p>She set the tray on a chair beside her bed +and put two spoonfuls of sugar into the tall +glass. It was too hot for anyone to drink +yet, so she went into the bathroom to get +ready for bed.</p> + +<p>Five minutes later she switched off all +the lights except the one on the head board. +Then she got into bed, picked up the glass +and stirred her lemonade, making sure that +the spoon tinkled against the glass. If anyone +was listening outside her door they +would naturally think she was drinking the +stuff.</p> + +<p>After waiting a moment or two longer, +she set the glass down on the tray with a +thump that might have been heard on the +gallery. But the glass remained in her +hand. Off went her light now, and still +holding the lemonade she got quickly and +quietly out of bed. A silent trip to the bathroom +in the dark and she emptied the +lemonade into her washbowl. Then she +came back and placed the empty glass on +the tray. She hurried over to the bow window, +opened a sash, turned off the heat in +the radiator and crawled into bed again.</p> + +<p>The bed was to the left of the door as +one entered the room. By lying on her +right side Dorothy held the entire room +within her view. After the soft glare from +the shaded electric lights, it seemed inky +black, but soon her eyes grew accustomed +to the gloom. In the wall just beyond the +foot of the bed was the closed door of her +closet. The trunk stood beyond that in the +corner. The alcove and window seat took +up a large section of the farther wall and +in the corner, diagonally across from +where she lay was a dark spot—the writing +desk. Opposite her bed was the half open +door to the bathroom. The dressing table, +the door to the hall but a few feet from her +head—mentally she had completed her +tour of the room.</p> + +<p>Then for a long while, or so it seemed +to the excited girl, she lay there waiting. +Of course her door was locked, but the affair +of the Winged Cartwheels a few +months before had taught Dorothy that +keys may be turned from the outside with +a pair of small pincers. Her mind now set +itself on the key in the door. In vain she +listened for the warning click that would +come when it turned in the lock. Now that +she was lying in bed she began to discover +how tired she was. It became harder and +harder to stay awake.</p> + +<p>She knew that she must have dozed, for +without warning a light appeared, a golden +circle on the center of the rug. Instantly +she was wide awake and her hand beneath +the blankets drew her throwing knife from +its sheath. Through half-closed eyelids +she made out a dark figure holding a flash +light pointed toward the floor.</p> + +<p>Then the glowing circle moved to the +empty glass beside her bed, and Dorothy +closed her eyes. For a moment it rested +upon her face and she heard a low chuckle. +Dorothy knew that voice. Her visitor was +Laura Lawson.</p> + +<p>The light swept away from her face. +Mrs. Lawson touched the wall switch by +the door and the bedroom sprang into light. +The drug in the lemonade must have been +a strong one, for it was evident that the intruder +had no fear of her awakening. Without +wasting another glance on Dorothy, +Laura Lawson went to the wardrobe trunk +and commenced a detailed inspection of +its contents.</p> + +<p>The woman’s back was turned, so Dorothy +had no difficulty in watching her movements. +Everything in the trunk was taken +out, glanced at and put back exactly as it +had been. This took some time, and it was +fully half an hour before her hostess finished +with the trunk. Next she overhauled +the small travelling bag and the purse. +Then the empty drawers of the dressing +table and desk came under the woman’s +eye. The pillows and cushions of the window +seat were lifted. The rug was turned +back. Every nook and cranny of the room +and closet came under observation. Then +she went into the bathroom.</p> + +<p>“What under the shining canopy can she +be looking for?” Dorothy marveled. “It +can’t be the note I got tonight. She proposed +the lemonade before that could have +been written. I wonder if she’ll search the +bed? She mustn’t find Flash—”</p> + +<p>When Laura Lawson returned to the +bedroom, she saw that the sleeper had +turned over and was now facing the wall. +For a moment she gazed down on the girl, +then her hand crept under the pillow. +Finding nothing there, the covers were +pulled back to the foot of the bed.</p> + +<p>Dorothy felt the cold breeze from the +open window blowing on her pajamaed +body, but she did not move. Presently +sheet, blankets and silk comfort were replaced +and the woman left the bedside. +Dorothy chuckled inwardly. Flash was +still safe. She was lying on him.</p> + +<p>Off went the light. Dorothy knew that +Mrs. Lawson’s slippered feet would make +no sound on the thick pile of the rug. She +waited to hear the door open and close, +but heard nothing. With her face to the +wall, she could see nothing. The strain of +lying motionless became nerve wracking. +What was the woman doing anyhow? +Slowly she rolled over again. So far as she +could tell, the room was empty.</p> + +<p>For what seemed an age Dorothy lay, +listening. Except for the wind sighing +through the bare trees outside her window, +there was no other sound. She felt nervous +and unpleasantly excited. She must know +if the door had been left unlocked. Slipping +out of bed she tiptoed across to it and +tried the handle. The door did not give.</p> + +<p>Suddenly she froze against the panels. +A dim glow appeared on the opposite wall +as the closet door swung slowly back, and +outlined in the opening was the tall figure +of Tunbridge.</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch10' class='break'>Chapter X<br /><br />SURPRISES</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>Dorothy’s experiences, since she had +shopped for neckties for her father that +morning had been quite enough to lay up +the average girl for a week, and to wreck +her nerves into the bargain. Laura Lawson’s +appearance in her bedroom had +strained tightened nerves to the breaking +point.</p> + +<p>The arrival of this second intruder was +just too much. As the butler stepped out +of the closet and started to close the door, +Dorothy’s self-control snapped like a rubber +band. She forgot that she was playing +a part; that it might be suicidal to show her +hand so early in the game. Fear gripped +her throat. Had this man been sent to kill +her? If not, then what was he doing, stealing +into her room through a secret entrance +like an assassin of the middle ages? Self-preservation bade her act. The consequences +could take care of themselves.</p> + +<p>“Stop!” The harsh whisper, as her hand +dove for Flash, sounded like the voice of a +stranger. “Move another step, and I’ll pin +you to that door!” Flash was in her raised +hand now, the extended blade reflecting the +light in the closet as though the polished +steel were glass.</p> + +<p>She saw the man start in surprise and +turn his head in her direction. As she was +about to hurl the knife, Tunbridge found +his voice.</p> + +<p>“Ashton Sanborn sent me, Miss Dixon. +Please don’t throw that knife.”</p> + +<p>Gone was the English accent, and the +pompous intonation of the British man +servant. Tunbridge, if that were really his +name, spoke the American Dorothy was accustomed +to hear, the accents of the cultured +New Englander. For the second +time in her life, Dorothy fainted.</p> + +<p>She awoke to find herself in bed. Tunbridge +was beside it. She could just make +out his tall, powerful figure in the darkness.</p> + +<p>“Goodness—did I faint?” she said +weakly.</p> + +<p>“You certainly did, Miss Dixon.” His +tone was little above a whisper. “Please +don’t raise your voice—and drink this. I +found the aromatic spirits of ammonia in +the bathroom. You need something to +steady you. No one is cast iron—you’ve +been through a frightful lot today.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy took the glass and drained it. +Then she lay back on her pillow. “I +got the scare of my life just now. Why +didn’t Ashton Sanborn tell me about +you, Mr.—”</p> + +<p>“Tunbridge is really my name, Miss +Dixon. John Tunbridge, and very much +at your service. I was afraid my rather +abrupt appearance would startle you, and +especially coming so soon after Mrs. Lawson’s—er—visit. +I got a shock myself +when I saw your white figure by the door +just now, and all ready to split me with that +knife, like—like a macaroon.” He +chuckled, and removing the tray, sat down +on the chair beside her bed.</p> + +<p>“Oh, then you’ve seen Ashton Sanborn +this evening, Mr. Tunbridge?”</p> + +<p>“Heard from him, Miss Dixon. As you +must know by now, I am a secret service +operative and I am working under Mr. +Sanborn. There isn’t time to go into detail +now, but a couple of months ago, our department +received an anonymous letter +saying that Doctor Winn would bear +watching. Shortly before that the Doctor +had engaged Mrs. Lawson, who is an expert +chemist by the way, to take charge of +his laboratory. Her husband has been Doctor +Winn’s secretary since last spring. We +thought at that time that Mrs. Lawson +might be the mysterious letter writer. +Since then we’ve altered our opinion. Mr. +Sanborn decided that inasmuch as Doctor +Winn was working for the government it +would be well to have a secret service man +in the house. We prevailed upon the butler +here to resign and I took his place.”</p> + +<p>“Then Doctor Winn knows you’re a +government detective?”</p> + +<p>“No one in this house knows that, except +you, Miss Dixon. The whole matter was +arranged through an employment agency. +Doctor Winn and the others here have no +idea that I, like you, am simply playing a +part.”</p> + +<p>“Well, you’re certainly a splendid actor, +Mr. Tunbridge.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you, Miss Dixon. As you’ve no +doubt discovered, acting, convincing acting, +often plays a large part in our profession. +You are doing brilliantly in that +respect yourself. Mr. Sanborn thought, +however, that it would be better if you did +not know about me until the necessity +arose. Mrs. Lawson, he knew would be +watching you like a hawk when you arrived. +If you had been aware of my identity, +your position would only have been +more difficult. She might have had her +suspicions aroused in some way, which +would have given you a wrong start from +the beginning. I think you will realize tomorrow +how hard it will be to treat me as +though I were merely Tunbridge the +butler.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I think you’re right. Tell me, how +did you find out about the lemonade?”</p> + +<p>“I overheard the Lawsons talking, yesterday. +Made it my business in fact. It +seems that Mrs. Lawson has had the idea +that if Janet Jordan was only shamming +sleep at that meeting, she would do her best +to communicate with her father in some +way. The natural thing to do would be to +write a note and slip it in his hand or his +pocket, when he came to see her. Martin +Lawson was sure he would detect anything +of the kind when he brought Jordan to say +goodbye to Janet tonight at the flat. If not, +the plan was to drug the girl with hot +lemonade so that Mrs. Lawson could +search her belongings for the note tonight.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy nodded. “I watched her closely +while she was in here, and so far as I could +make out she didn’t find anything that interested +her particularly. The Lawsons +must have guessed wrong about Janet +writing her father.”</p> + +<p>“Well, no, they didn’t,” declared her new +ally. “Janet wrote a letter, just as they surmised.”</p> + +<p>“But where could it be?” asked Dorothy +in a startled whisper, and sat bold upright +in bed.</p> + +<p>“Probably destroyed by this time,” Mr. +Tunbridge chuckled. “There’s no need +to worry on that score, Miss Dixon. +When Ashton Sanborn spoke to your +cousin this afternoon by means of Howard +Bright’s headphone set, he learned that +Janet proposed doing just what this clever +pair here figured upon. Of course she had +already written the note, and as there was +no safe way to get rid of it in her room, he +told her to take it with her when she left. +And now if you’ll be good enough, I wish +you’d tell me what happened after you took +her place in the flat.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy gave him a short sketch of her +encounter with her uncle and Martin Lawson +in Janet’s room, and of the conversation +between the two men in the corridor +afterward. “All the way up here,” she +ended, “I pretended I had a grouch. Mr. +Lawson tried to start a conversation several +times, but he soon found it wasn’t much fun +talking to himself and he gave it up as a bad +job.”</p> + +<p>“Excellent,” applauded the secret service +man, “and quite in keeping with your +behavior in the flat. You have done most +remarkably well, Miss Dixon. Only—you +won’t mind if I warn you not to let first +success make you careless.”</p> + +<p>“Do you really believe that these people +mean to do away with me if they discover +I am not what I appear to be, Mr. Tunbridge? +It sounds a bit too melodramatic, +don’t you think?”</p> + +<p>“These Lawsons, husband and wife, are +playing for gigantic stakes.” The detective’s +voice, though barely audible was extremely +grave. “They will stop at nothing. +When crooks have at least two murders behind +them, they’re not likely to stop at a +third.”</p> + +<p>“Then—then they are <em>not</em> what they pretend?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly not. They’re a pair of high +class European crooks named du Val.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy shuddered. “And <em>murderers</em>!”</p> + +<p>“Undoubtedly. They’re wanted both in +England and in Austria for their crimes.”</p> + +<p>“How did you find that out?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, you see I recognized them when I +arrived here, Miss Dixon.”</p> + +<p>“But—but I can’t see why—why you +didn’t arrest them then and there! You +knew that they were after the secret of +Doctor Winn’s new explosive, or whatever +it is he has invented.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, we realized that the formula for +Doctor Winn’s explosive gas was the magnet +that drew the du Vals to this house; but +until today we had no idea how they proposed +to dispose of the formula after stealing +it.”</p> + +<p>“I see. And now you realize that they +probably intend to sell it to the organization +of which my uncle is a member?”</p> + +<p>“You are right, Miss Dixon.”</p> + +<p>“Then why can’t you arrest the Lawsons +now?”</p> + +<p>“We can take the Lawsons at any time,” +Tunbridge explained. “But we want to +catch the ringleader of this organization. +We know the group exists and for no good +purpose, but what their definite object may +be we still have no means of telling. We +can’t arrest them on suspicion alone. Once +they actually buy the formula from the +Lawsons, it will be quite a different matter.”</p> + +<p>She shook her head slowly. “But why +hasn’t the formula been stolen before this? +They’ve had plenty of opportunity, +surely—”</p> + +<p>“Because it is not completed. At dinner +tonight I heard the Doctor say that by tomorrow +afternoon the work would be finished, +and that he expected to take the +formula to Washington the day after tomorrow.”</p> + +<p>“Then you expect?—”</p> + +<p>“I expect that the Lawsons will make +their attempt tomorrow night.”</p> + +<p>“And where do I come in on this business, +Mr. Tunbridge?”</p> + +<p>“You are going to take the plans from +Doctor Winn’s safe before the Lawsons +get to it.”</p> + +<p>She drew her breath sharply. “That’s a +pretty large order—”</p> + +<p>“I know it, but—of course you’ll have +the combination of the safe—”</p> + +<p>“Are you going to give it to me now?”</p> + +<p>“Too dangerous. They are quite capable +of searching your belongings again—or +your person, for that matter—at any +time. I’ll get it to you with exact instructions +just as soon as the Doctor completes +that blooming formula and locks it in the +safe.”</p> + +<p>“That’s all very well, Mr. Tunbridge. +But has it occurred to you that if I steal this +paper—I suppose it will be a paper?—”</p> + +<p>“Probably several of them—”</p> + +<p>“Well, if I take these papers before the +Lawsons can get them, how are you going +to arrest my uncle and the other men?”</p> + +<p>“You,” directed Tunbridge, “will +simply make a copy and replace the original +documents where you found them. +This is a safety-first move. We must have +a copy in case the originals are destroyed.”</p> + +<p>“It looks like a very complicated matter +to me,” Dorothy admitted candidly. “Why +not put the old gentleman wise? After +all, it’s his formula, and if he made his +own copy it would save us a possible run-in +with the Lawsons, and—”</p> + +<p>Mr. Tunbridge stood up. “Perhaps +you’re right,” he said, making a brave attempt +to stifle a yawn, “but Doctor Winn +would never agree to it. For a scientist +who dabbles in high explosives, he’s the +most nervous man I’ve ever met. He’d +give the whole show away. No, that’s out +of the question. Doctor Winn must be +kept in ignorance of the whole proceeding. +And now—” a yawn got the better of him +this time— “and now to bed. You need +sleep even more than advice just now. +Good night, or rather, good morning, Miss +Dixon. Pleasant dreams, I hope.”</p> + +<p>He started toward the door and Dorothy +sprang out of bed and reached for her +dressing gown.</p> + +<p>“I want to see that secret passage, Mr. +Tunbridge,” she said in a low tone.</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes, come along.” He opened the +door and stepped inside the closet. “It +works this way. Press your foot on the +board in the farthest right hand corner, +like this, and a panel in the back wall slides +up—like that—”</p> + +<p>Dorothy stared at the gaping black hole, +then as the detective-butler snapped on his +flashlight she saw that a narrow circular +staircase led downward in the wall.</p> + +<p>“That stair curves down to the ground +floor,” he explained. “It comes out +through the side wall inside the big fireplace +in the hall. To open the panel down +there you press a button under the left-hand +corner of the mantel. To close either panel +you simply put it down, once you’re inside.”</p> + +<p>“Are there any more of these passages +in the walls?”</p> + +<p>“Very likely, but I haven’t found them +yet. Winncote is an exact copy of the Doctor’s +ancestral home in Wales. Those old +houses were honeycombed with priest holes, +secret passages and whatnot. And +Doctor Winn had his architect copy the +original Winncote across the water down +to the last stone, with modern improvements +such as bathrooms and steam heat, +added.”</p> + +<p>“Funny old fellow, isn’t he?” commented +Dorothy sleepily. “Then I’m +simply to carry on until I hear from you +again?”</p> + +<p>“That’s right. But whatever you do, +watch your step with the Lawson woman. +She is fully as heartless as she is beautiful. +If you had never heard of that meeting in +the Jordans’ flat, it would be much better +for you. She will try to trap you, so please +be on your guard continually. Well, good +night, again.”</p> + +<p>“Good night, Mr. Tunbridge.”</p> + +<p>The panel in the back wall of the closet +slid into place, and Dorothy went back to +bed. She realized now that this matter of +impersonating her cousin was not going to +prove to be the easy job she had fancied. +A slip on her part now would not only put +her own life in danger, it would probably +ruin all government plans to apprehend +these desperate criminals.</p> + +<p>At last she fell into a troubled sleep +wherein she dreamed that a long circular +staircase curved round and round her bedroom, +and that Mrs. Lawson, dressed as a +butler, had set her to watch every step of it.</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch11' class='break'>Chapter XI<br /><br />GRETCHEN</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>Dorothy awoke from troubled dreams to +find that it was another day. Through the +open window she saw the swirl of snowflakes +driven in a high wind. The bedroom +was cold and in the grey light of the winter +morning it had lost its cheerful air.</p> + +<p>She heard a knock on the door.</p> + +<p>“Who’s there?” she called drowsily.</p> + +<p>“It’s the maid, miss. Mrs. Lawson +thought you might be wanting your breakfast +now.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy looked at her wrist watch. The +hands marked ten-thirty. She jumped out +on the rug, which felt cold and clammy +under her bare feet, went to the door and +unlocked it. Then she scampered back to +bed and snuggled under the warm covers.</p> + +<p>In walked a trim little figure wearing the +small white apron and gray uniform of a +chambermaid. Dorothy saw a round +merry face, and a pair of big blue eyes beneath +the white lawn cap, and thick flaxen +braids were coiled round the neat head. +She was surprised and somehow pleased to +discover that this attractive member of the +household staff could not be much more +than sixteen, just her own age.</p> + +<p>The little maid shut the door softly, +crossed to the window and closed it, turned +on the steam heat and came to the bedside. +“Good morning, Miss Jordan.” She +smiled engagingly. “I’m Gretchen, miss. +Will you have your breakfast in bed?”</p> + +<p>“Why, thank you, Gretchen—that will +be cozy. But if it’s going to give you any +trouble, don’t bother.” With the covers +drawn up to her eyes, Dorothy smiled back +at the girl.</p> + +<p>“Oh, no, miss—it’s no trouble at all.” +Gretchen was insistent. “It’s all ready +now. I’ll run down and bring it up.”</p> + +<p>She whisked out of the room and +Dorothy rolled over for another cat-nap.</p> + +<p>“If you’ll be good enough to sit up now, +Miss Jordan—I have your breakfast here.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy awoke again, yawned and +stretched luxuriously. Gretchen stood beside +her bed with the breakfast tray.</p> + +<p>“If you’ll be good enough to sit up, +miss?” she repeated.</p> + +<p>Dorothy punched the pillows into position +behind her, slipped the quilted gown +about her shoulders and leaned back. +Gretchen moved nearer—then almost +dropped the tray.</p> + +<p>“Why—why—miss—”</p> + +<p>Dorothy leaned over and steadied the +tray. “What’s the matter, Gretchen?” The +little maid was staring at her open-mouthed, +her big blue eyes as round as +saucers.</p> + +<p>“Oh, I—I beg your pardon, but it’s—it’s +the resemblance, miss—Miss Jordan.” +She set the tray over Dorothy’s knees and +drew back still with that astonished look. +“I couldn’t see you very well before, miss, +with the covers up to your eyes. But when +you sat up, it sure did give me a start.”</p> + +<p>“What do you mean, Gretchen? The +resemblance to whom?” Dorothy, outwardly +calm, fingered her glass of orange +juice, but her thoughts raced toward this +new complication.</p> + +<p>“Why, you look so much like Dorothy +Dixon—the flyer, you know, miss. She’s +my hero—I mean, heroine, Miss Jordan. +I’ve read everything the newspapers +printed about her and Bill Bolton. You +must have read about them too, everybody +has?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes, I’ve heard about them.” +Dorothy hoped her tone sounded indifferent. +“But you know, Gretchen, newspaper +pictures are often very poor likenesses.”</p> + +<p>The girl smiled and nodded. “I know +that, Miss Jordan. I’ve got them all and +there isn’t no two of the pictures that looks +alike.”</p> + +<p>“Then how—?”</p> + +<p>“You see, it wasn’t the newspaper pictures +I was thinking of, miss, but Dorothy +Dixon herself. You see I know Miss +Dixon,” she went on proudly, “and you two +are certainly the spittin’ images of each +other, if you don’t mind my saying so.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy minded very much, but it was +not consistent with the part she was playing +to admit it. Here was a contretemps +not even Ashton Sanborn had foreseen. +Yet, of course, New Canaan was only ten +miles away. She had many friends in +Ridgefield, and she’d been there hundreds +of times. But she simply couldn’t remember +having seen Gretchen in any of their +homes. Her answer was but a feeble stall +for time.</p> + +<p>“So you know her then?” she said +lamely.</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes, miss. Not well, you understand. +I saw her and Mr. Bill Bolton first +when they finished the endurance test on +the Conway motor this fall. Then a few +days later, I drove over to her house in our +flivver—over to New Canaan, you know, +and I called on Miss Dixon. I wanted her +to autograph a picture of herself I’d cut +out of the Sunday paper.”</p> + +<p>“And you met her?” Dorothy remembered the incident perfectly now. But the +maid’s uniform—and her hair—when she +had seen her, Gretchen had worn two +braids over her shoulders, very much the +schoolgirl. No wonder she hadn’t recognized +her. But now what should she do? +Would it be possible to keep up this camouflage +with a girl whom she had met and +with whom she would come in daily contact? +Gretchen was talking again.</p> + +<p>“Yes indeed, I met her. And she was +just darling to me, Miss Jordan. She even +gave me one of her own photographs and +wrote on it, too. You see, us Schmidts came +over from Germany about a hundred years +ago, but we’re honest-to-goodness Americans +just the same. Father was in the +American army during the war. He was +an aviation mechanic. He found one of +them Iron Crosses of the Germans on some +battlefield in France and kept it for a mascot. +And would you believe it, miss, Father +never even got wounded once, the whole +time he was over there! Perhaps it was the +little Iron Cross, and perhaps it wasn’t. +Anyway, he thought a lot of his mascot. +When I was ten years old, he had it fixed +on a thin gold chain for me to wear around +my neck, and gave it to me on my birthday. +Well, when I went to see Miss Dixon this +fall, I took it with me. She goes up in her +airplane so much and does so many other +exciting things, I wanted her to have it. +She didn’t want to take the cross at first, but +I persuaded her to, just the same. And you +don’t know how nice she was to me, Miss! +Took me out to see Will-o-the-Wisp—that’s +her plane, you know—she calls it +Wispy for short. And I had a perfectly +grand time. She’s my heroine, all right. +And you, miss—I hope you’ll excuse me +for talking so much about it—but you look +exactly like her, and your voices are just +the same, too. It’s wonderful!”</p> + +<p>“So you are Margaret Schmidt,” +Dorothy said slowly.</p> + +<p>“Yes, miss, that is so, though everybody +calls me Gretchen. How did you know +my given name, Miss Jordan? Is Miss +Dixon a friend of yours? Did she tell you +about me? But that’s silly—she wouldn’t +remember me.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy looked the little maid straight in +the eyes. “She remembers you, Gretchen. +Would you be willing to do something for +her—to keep a secret, a very important and +maybe a dangerous one? Do you think +you could do it?”</p> + +<p>Gretchen looked awestruck, then she +smiled. “Mother says I’m the closest-mouthed +girl she ever saw, miss. They +could cut me in pieces before I ever let +out any secret of Dorothy Dixon’s. I’d +never tell—not me! You can trust me, Miss +Jordan.”</p> + +<p>“I’m sure I can, Gretchen. And I’m +going to.” Dorothy slipped her hand into +the V-neck of her pajamas. “Remember +this?”</p> + +<p>“Why—it’s—it’s my Iron Cross—that +I gave Dorothy Dixon. How in the +world—?”</p> + +<p>“I am Dorothy Dixon.” Dorothy broke +into laughter at the bewildered expression +on the girl’s face.</p> + +<p>“But—but I don’t understand!” Gretchen +stammered as though her tongue +was half-paralyzed. “I knew the resemblance +was wonderful—but—they said you +were Miss Janet Jordan—and—”</p> + +<p>“You sit down on the end of the bed,” +said Dorothy, “I’ll go on with my breakfast +before it gets cold, and explain at the same +time. We won’t be disturbed, will we?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, no, miss.”</p> + +<p>“How about your work, Gretchen? +Will you be wanted downstairs?”</p> + +<p>“Mr. Tunbridge told me to unpack your +trunk, miss—Miss Dixon—and to make +myself generally useful.”</p> + +<p>“Fine,” smiled Dorothy, pouring out +a cup of coffee. “But keep on calling me +Miss Jordan—otherwise you’ll be making +slips in the name in front of other people +and that would be fatal.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, Miss Jordan,” Gretchen grinned +happily.</p> + +<p>“After this beastly business is over,” +Dorothy went on, “we’ll be Gretchen and +Dorothy to each other.”</p> + +<p>The other girl looked a trifle embarrassed. +“But I’m only a chambermaid, +Miss Jordan,” she said shyly.</p> + +<p>“Don’t be silly!” Dorothy waved away +the argument with a sweep of her spoon. +“You’re proving yourself a real friend—and +that’s that.”</p> + +<p>“Very well, Miss Jordan.”</p> + +<p>“Now pin back your ears, Gretchen.” +Dorothy lifted the cover from her scrambled +eggs. “I am taking my cousin, Janet +Jordan’s place as Mrs. Lawson’s secretary. +Nobody in this house knows who I am except +Mr. Tunbridge, nor must they be +given the slightest hint that I am anybody +but Janet Jordan. As you’ve probably +guessed, Janet and I look almost exactly +alike. Our mothers were twins and that +probably accounts for it.”</p> + +<p>“Gee—” breathed Gretchen. “It’s just +like a story in a book!”</p> + +<p>Dorothy bit into a slice of buttered toast. +“Maybe it is,” she admitted, speaking with +her mouth full. “But the point is that you +and I are living this story and it may come +to a very abrupt and unpleasant ending unless +we’re both terribly careful. Let’s see—where +was I? Oh, yes. Mr. Tunbridge +and I are working together on this case, +working for the United States Government.”</p> + +<p>“Secret Service?” asked Gretchen in an +awed whisper.</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“Then I’ll be working for the secret service +too?” Dorothy could see that the girl +was very much impressed with the idea.</p> + +<p>“You will, Gretchen—that is, you are—under +me. But don’t get too pepped up +about it. The work we are on is serious +and it is extremely dangerous into the bargain. +I wouldn’t have brought you into it +unless I had to. Right now I haven’t the +slightest notion how you are going to be +fitted into the picture. But I couldn’t have +you going around, talking about how +much Janet Jordan looks like Dorothy +Dixon, could I? Doctor Winn and the +Lawsons have no idea of either the resemblance +or the relationship. If that came out +and they got wind of it—well, there’s no +telling what might happen.”</p> + +<p>“Especially,” chimed in Gretchen, +“after all the detective work you did in +those three big cases over to New Canaan +this summer and fall.”</p> + +<p>“You’ve got it,” declared Dorothy, and +sipped her coffee. “A robbery is being +planned here, Gretchen, a robbery of some +very valuable papers from Doctor Winn’s +safe. The thieves will probably try to pull +it off tonight. These papers, which have +to do with an invention of the Doctor’s are +worth a million dollars or more to any number +of people. So you see the thieves are +playing for big stakes, and I might as well +tell you that they aren’t the kind that would +let a thing like murder stop them. And +now that you know the facts, are you willing +to go on with it?”</p> + +<p>Gretchen seemed horrified that Dorothy +should doubt her. “Oh, Miss Jordan, I +don’t want to get murdered any more than +anybody else—but, I’m not afraid—honest +I’m not!”</p> + +<p>“I knew you were true blue,” smiled +Dorothy. “So we’ll call it a deal, shall +we?”</p> + +<p>“You bet!” The two girls solemnly +shook hands. “What do you want me to +do first, Miss Jordan?” Gretchen asked +eagerly.</p> + +<p>“Move this tray onto the chair over +there, please. Then while I’m taking a +bath and dressing you might unpack Janet +Jordan’s clothes. I’ll choose something to +wear later.”</p> + +<p>“Very good, Miss Jordan.” The little +maid took the tray, then stopped short, her +round blue eyes very serious. “But what +about the secret service work?”</p> + +<p>“Just carry on as usual for the present.” +Dorothy slipped out of bed. “And remember—not +a word to anyone about what +I’ve told you—not even Mr. Tunbridge. I +don’t know myself exactly what I’m to do +yet. Mrs. Lawson expects me downstairs +in about half an hour, so I’ve got to hustle. +If I need your help later on, I’ll get word to +you somehow.”</p> + +<p>“I hope you will need me, Miss Jordan.” +Gretchen was taking Janet’s frocks from +the wardrobe trunk.</p> + +<p>“And I hope I shan’t!” said Dorothy, +and she disappeared into the bathroom.</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch12' class='break'>Chapter XII<br /><br />TESTS</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>Dorothy came down the wide staircase +a few minutes before eleven-thirty. She +wore a dark blue morning frock of her +cousin’s, its simplicity relieved only by the +soft white collar and deep cuffs. Except +for being rather tight across the shoulders +it fitted her as though she had been poured +into it. She had selected this dress because +she knew it was just the sort of thing a new +secretary would be expected to wear.</p> + +<p>She crossed the broad hall to the open +door of the library, and there found Mrs. +Lawson standing before a window staring +into the storm. Although Dorothy’s footsteps +made practically no sound on the +thick pile of the handsome Bokhara rug, +the woman turned like a flash at her entrance.</p> + +<p>“Oh, good morning, Janet.” The frown +on her face gave way to a pleasant smile. +“I hope you were comfortable last night. +Did you sleep well?”</p> + +<p>“I dropped off as soon as my head +touched the pillow,” she answered, taking +Mrs. Lawson’s outstretched hand. Dorothy +did not believe in telling a lie unless it was +in a good cause; but when necessary, she +invariably made the lie a good one.</p> + +<p>“I hope the storm didn’t wake you,” +smiled Laura, holding Dorothy’s hand.</p> + +<p>Dorothy did not reply at once. Two long +fingers were lightly pressing her wrist, and +she saw that Mrs. Lawson’s eyes had +strayed to the grandfather’s clock in the +corner of the room. “Test number one,” +she said to herself. “Mrs. du Val, alias +Lawson is counting my pulse. Well, I’ve +got a clear conscience, perhaps I can give +her a shock.” She drew her hand away and +answered the woman’s question in her normal +voice. “Oh, the storm! No, I never +heard it, Mrs. Lawson. If that hot lemonade +had been drugged, I couldn’t have slept +any sounder!”</p> + +<p>“What makes you say that?” snapped +her employer, and beneath the velvet tone, +Dorothy sensed the ring of steel.</p> + +<p>She dropped her eyes, and turning toward +the open hearth, held out her hands +to the crackling blaze. “Oh, I don’t know,” +she said sweetly and like the clever little +strategist that she was, opened her own offensive +in the enemy’s territory. “I have +the bad habit of occasionally walking in +my sleep, Mrs. Lawson—and especially +when I spend the night in a strange bed. +Perhaps it’s nervousness—I don’t know.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lawson threw her a sharp glance. +“Sit down, Janet,” she suggested, pointing +to a chair near the fire, and taking one herself +across the hearth. “You’re—I mean, +you don’t seem to be at all nervous this +morning.”</p> + +<p>“Good old pulse!” thought Dorothy. +Then aloud—“No, I feel splendidly, thank +you. But, you see, I didn’t walk in my +sleep last night.”</p> + +<p>“But surely you can’t tell when you do +it!”</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes, I can.” Dorothy’s manner and +tone were those of the simple schoolgirl +proud of an unusual accomplishment.</p> + +<p>“You don’t expect me to believe that you +know what you’re doing when you walk in +your sleep, Janet. That’s impossible!”</p> + +<p>“Not while I’m sleepwalking, Mrs. +Lawson. That wasn’t what I said—but +when I have been sleepwalking—there’s a +difference, you see?”</p> + +<p>“Well?” The lady of the house objected +to being contradicted and took no trouble +to hide it.</p> + +<p>“It’s really very simple,” explained Dorothy, +painstakingly, as though she were +speaking to a rather stupid child. “I found +out how to do it. You see, I’ve been walking +in my sleep ever since I was a little +thing. When I get in bed at night I leave +my slippers on the floor beside it pointed +outward—away from the bed. We all +leave them that way, I guess. It’s the natural +thing to do.”</p> + +<p>“But what have slippers got to do with +it?” Laura was becoming impatient.</p> + +<p>“Everything, so far as I’m concerned, +Mrs. Lawson. When I’ve been walking at +night, I always find them in the morning +beside the bed, but pointing <em>toward</em> it. I +evidently slip them off before I get back +into bed, and—”</p> + +<p>“I’m beginning to think you are quite a +clever girl, Janet.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, thank you,” said Dorothy with a +guilelessness that was sheer camouflage. +“Has anybody been saying I’m stupid? +I’ve always stood high in my classes at +school.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, not stupid, child—but nervous—perhaps +a little unbalanced, especially this +past week.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy raised her heavy lashes and +looked Mrs. Lawson squarely in the face. +This might be a test she was undergoing +and it probably was; but here was a heaven +sent chance to stir up discord in the enemy’s +camp. She must work up to it gradually.</p> + +<p>“I know that I was nervous and upset +past all endurance.” She leaned forward, +her hands on the arms of the chair. “How +would you like your father to lock you in +your bedroom for a week, without ever +coming to see you, or giving you any explanation +for such outrageous treatment? +Am I a child to be handled like that? To +be shipped up here to strangers, whether I +wanted to go or not? How would you feel +about it, Mrs. Lawson, if you were me? +Don’t say you would submit to it sitting +down.”</p> + +<p>“But I am taking you on as my secretary,” +the lady hedged. “Offering you a +good position for which you’ll be paid +twenty dollars a week. That’s not to be +thought of lightly, especially in these +times.”</p> + +<p>“But it doesn’t seem to strike you that I +might like to have something to say about +it,” Dorothy replied calmly. “As for the +salary—that’s no inducement. My mother +left me five thousand a year. I came into +the income on my last birthday, so you see +I have nearly a hundred dollars a week, +whether I work or not.”</p> + +<p>“I didn’t know that, of course,” Mrs. +Lawson admitted and none too graciously. +“Your father wants you to be here while +he’s away. I hope you aren’t going to be +difficult, Janet.”</p> + +<p>“I hope not, Mrs. Lawson. I shall be +glad to stay here for a while and do the +work you’d planned for me; but if I do, it +must be as a guest and not as a paid dependant.”</p> + +<p>“But you are a guest, Janet.”</p> + +<p>“I shall not accept a salary, Mrs. Lawson.”</p> + +<p>“Very well, my dear, if you wish it that +way.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you very much.”</p> + +<p>“To get back to our former topic,” Mrs. +Lawson said, and lit a cigarette. “I can +understand that your father’s conduct in +confining you to your room might be exasperating—but +why should it make you +nervous? And my husband tells me that +when he visited you in your room you acted +as though you were in deadly fear of something +or somebody every time he saw you. +What was the trouble, Janet? Was anything +worrying you?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, there was, Mrs. Lawson.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy looked down at the andirons, +and her hands on the chair arms twisted embarrassedly. +From the corner of her eye +she saw a smile of satisfaction light up the +older woman’s face. She knew she was +playing with fire and that Mrs. Lawson was +watching her as a hawk watches its defenseless +prey before it strikes. But all unknown +to her inquisitor, Dorothy had been +leading her into this trap as a move forward +in her own game. Genuine dislike for the +woman as well as a mischievous impulse on +her part drew her to make the scene as dramatic +and convincing as possible.</p> + +<p>“Yes—I—I—was afraid,” she went on, +dragging out the words slowly.</p> + +<p>“Then don’t you think you’d better tell +me about it, Janet? I’m nearly old enough +to be your mother. Let me take your +mother’s place, dear. Give me your confidence. +I feel sure I’ll be able to help +you, child.”</p> + +<p>This reference to Janet’s dead mother by +a woman who was the vilest kind of a hypocrite +swept away Dorothy’s last compunction. +She herself was going to commit +justifiable libel. Mrs. Lawson, on the other +hand, was attempting to lead Janet Jordan +into a confession of shamming sleep at the +fateful meeting a week ago. And such a +confession meant a sentence of death from +this beautiful siren who gazed at her so +winningly, who puffed a cigarette so nonchalantly +while she waited for an unsuspecting +girl to commit herself.</p> + +<p>“Well, I don’t know—I can’t help hesitating +to tell <em>you</em>, Mrs. Lawson,” Dorothy +began timidly.</p> + +<p>“There’s no need to be afraid of anything,” +replied the woman, only half veiling +the sneer that went with the words.</p> + +<p>“Oh, but you see, there is, Mrs. Lawson!” +Dorothy’s manner was still indecisive. +“I don’t want—in fact, I hate awfully +to hurt you this way.”</p> + +<p>“Hurt me!” Mrs. Lawson’s cigarette +snapped into the fireplace like a miniature +comet. “Hurt me, child? What in the +wide world are you talking about?”</p> + +<p>“Just what I say, Mrs. Lawson.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lawson sniffed. “Don’t be ridiculous, +Janet. Out with it now. What did +you fear when you were locked in your +room?”</p> + +<p>“Your husband, Mrs. Lawson.”</p> + +<p>“My husband!”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“But—why—I don’t believe you.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, very well. You asked the question, +I was trying to answer it, that’s all.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lawson bit her lip. She was furious. +“As long as you’ve said what you +have, you’d better go on with it,” she said +acidly.</p> + +<p>“There isn’t any more,” returned Dorothy. +“That’s all there is.”</p> + +<p>“But surely he must have given you reasons +for your assertion.” Mrs. Lawson +had walked beautifully into Dorothy’s +trap. Her own plan to snare an unsuspecting +girl had been blotted out by the shadow +of the Green Goddess, Jealousy. “Tell me +what my husband did or said to make you +fear him, and tell me at once.”</p> + +<p>“It wasn’t what he did, Mrs. Lawson—it +was the way he looked.”</p> + +<p>“What do you mean—the way he +looked?”</p> + +<p>Dorothy had thrust a painful knife into +the mental cosmos of her adversary. Now +she deliberately turned it in the wound. +“Very probably,” she said quietly, looking +her straight in the eyes, “you can remember +how Mr. Lawson looked when he first +made love to you. I don’t want to be made +love to, and I don’t like <em>him</em>, Mrs. Lawson.”</p> + +<p>“What did you do?”</p> + +<p>“I told him to leave me—and when he +would not go, I simply walked into my +bathroom and locked the door.”</p> + +<p>“But what happened the next time he +came? Martin went in to see you every +day, didn’t he?”</p> + +<p>“He did. But he talked to me through +the bathroom door. Just as soon as I heard +the key turn in the lock I’d hop in there.”</p> + +<p>The man she had been talking about +must have been listening just outside in the +hall, for now he strode into the room and up +to Dorothy. “That,” he said menacingly, +“is a deliberate lie, Miss Janet Jordan!”</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch13' class='break'>Chapter XIII<br /><br />WINNITE</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>Dorothy looked up and smiled carelessly +at the man. “You’re very polite, Mr. Lawson. +Perhaps it isn’t my place to say it to a +man old enough to be my father—but +eavesdroppers rarely hear good of themselves.”</p> + +<p>Martin Lawson, who prided himself +upon his youthful appearance, grew +angrier than ever. “I—I won’t stand for +such outrageous libel,” he thundered. “I’ve +always treated you as though you were my +own—well, daughter, if you like.”</p> + +<p>“I <em>don’t</em> like it, Mr. Lawson—but that +doesn’t make any difference,” Dorothy’s +tone was one of pained acceptance. “If +you listened long enough, you will know +that I didn’t bring this matter up myself. +Mrs. Lawson was asking questions and I +was trying to answer them, that’s all. If +you prefer it, I’ll say that it was the wind +whistling outside the windows that made +me afraid.” She looked over at Mrs. Lawson, +who was watching them through half +shut eyes, as though to say, “—you understand, +of course—anything for peace.”</p> + +<p>Martin Lawson intercepted the glance +and became even more furious, if that were +possible. “You—you little viper!” he +snarled. “Laura, don’t you believe a word +of it. The whole thing’s her own invention—a +pack of lies!”</p> + +<p>“A silly schoolgirl fancy, if you like, +Martin.” Laura Lawson’s tone was expressionless. +“But I can understand it just +the same. Yes, I can understand it.”</p> + +<p>“What do you mean—you understand +it?”</p> + +<p>“I was a girl once myself,” she replied +in the same colorless tone. “And then, you +see, I know you very, very well.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, you do, do you?”</p> + +<p>“He’s off again,” sighed Dorothy, but +quite to herself.</p> + +<p>“And you have the nerve to insinuate—?” the angry man went on, beside himself +with rage. “You know as well as I +do, Laura, that this girl was afraid because +of what she saw and heard at the meeting. +She—”</p> + +<p>“That will be quite enough, Martin.” +His wife interrupted him sharply. “And +what is more—you probably have not noticed +that since Janet has been here and +with other people, she is very much herself—and +afraid of nothing at all.”</p> + +<p>“What meeting is he talking about, Mrs. +Lawson?” Dorothy pointedly ignored the +angry husband.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lawson stood up. “Never mind +that now,” she decreed, albeit pleasantly. +“Come along with me to my office. I have +some typing I’d like you to do for me before +luncheon. Martin!” She swung round +on her husband. “You will wait here for +me. I’ll be back in a few minutes—I want +to talk to you.” She slipped her arm +through Dorothy’s and drew her from the +room.</p> + +<p>Once in the entrance hall, she led her +back and under the gallery to a corridor +which opened at the right of the broad +stairs. Dorothy saw that there were several +doors in the right hand wall. Mrs. Lawson +stopped at the second of these and +opened it.</p> + +<p>They walked in and Dorothy saw that +they were in the office. It seemed very +businesslike and austere after coming from +the luxury of the library and spacious hall. +Near the one window stood a broad table +desk, and opposite that a typewriter desk. +Two steel filing cabinets and three plain +chairs completed the room’s furnishings. +The walls were hung with framed blueprints +and a large-scale map of Fairfield +County, Connecticut.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lawson took some papers from a +drawer in the large desk and handed them +to Dorothy. “This is in longhand, as +you see,” she explained, “please type it, +double space, and I’d like to have a carbon +copy.” She glanced at a small wrist-watch +set with diamonds. “It is just noon +now. Luncheon is at one. Do you think +you can finish the work by that time?”</p> + +<p>Dorothy glanced at the manuscript. +“This won’t make more than four typewritten +sheets. I can do it easily in an hour +and have time to spare.”</p> + +<p>“Good!” The older woman patted her +lightly on the shoulder. “Take your time +about it. Do you think you can read my +handwriting?”</p> + +<p>“Nothing could be plainer, Mrs. Lawson.” +Dorothy smiled back at her.</p> + +<p>“Very well, then. I’ll see you at lunch. +The dining room is across the hall from the +library.”</p> + +<p>At the door, she stopped and turned as +though she had just remembered something.</p> + +<p>“Don’t let what my husband said bother +you, Janet.”</p> + +<p>“That’s forgotten already,” Dorothy +said easily.</p> + +<p>“Like most men, he flies off the handle +when irritated. Pay no attention to it.”</p> + +<p>“I understand.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lawson hesitated for the fraction +of a second. “By the way, Janet,” she remarked. +“When was the last time you +walked in your sleep—that you found your +slippers pointed toward your bed in the +morning?”</p> + +<p>Dorothy pretended to think. “Let me +see,” she said slowly. “Yes—it was the +night before Daddy locked me in my room! +I found that I couldn’t get out in the morning, +and naturally, I wanted to know the +reason why. I still do, for that matter. +Except for some foolishness about my being +ill, I’m still waiting for an explanation. +As a matter of fact, I was perfectly well. +I’m terribly annoyed, of course, and it worries +me to think that Daddy should act this +way, but so far as my health goes, I’ve never +felt better.”</p> + +<p>“I’m glad to hear it, dear. We’ll check +up on your father when he returns. I’m +your friend, you know. Don’t let the matter +prey on your mind.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you, Mrs. Lawson. I’ll try to +do as you say.” Dorothy thought she was +going then, but it seemed that the woman +had still another question that she had been +holding back.</p> + +<p>“When you are in this somnambulistic +state,” she said, “when you are sleepwalking, +I mean, doesn’t it terrify you to awaken +and find yourself out of your bed?”</p> + +<p>Dorothy frowned and seemed puzzled. +“Perhaps it would,” she admitted. “But +then, you see, I can’t remember ever +wakening while I was walking during the +night. I must sleep very soundly. At +school the night watchman or one of the +teachers would frequently find me walking +about the building. They would lead +me back to bed, or just tell me to go there, +and I would always obey. Until they told +me about it next day, I knew nothing of +course. That’s how I got onto the business +of the slippers, you see.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes. I wondered how you’d been +able to check on it. Well, I must trot along +now and let you get to work. Until luncheon +then, my dear.”</p> + +<p>She was gone at last and Dorothy made a +face at the closed door. “Of all the plausible hypocrites I’ve ever met,” she muttered, +“you certainly take the well known chocolate +cake!”</p> + +<p>She sat down at the typewriter desk, +pulled out the machine, and slipped in two +sheets of paper and a carbon that she found +in one of the drawers. Halfway through a +perusal of Mrs. Lawson’s first page, she +looked up. The door opened quickly and +Mr. Tunbridge came into the room.</p> + +<p>“I’ve just a moment,” he prefaced hurriedly. +“They mustn’t find me here. What +was the row in the library?”</p> + +<p>Dorothy explained briefly.</p> + +<p>“Fine! Put you through the hoops, eh? +I had a good idea she would do something +of the kind. You came out of a difficult +situation with flying colors, I take it. But +be careful about run-ins with Lawson. +He’s a slick article—in fact, the two of +them are a pair of the slickest articles it’s +ever been my misfortune to run across. +And they’re going it hammer and tongs in +the library right now. I was a bit worried +about you, that’s why I took this chance.”</p> + +<p>“When do I get my instructions for tonight?”</p> + +<p>“Late this afternoon, probably. I’ll get +them to you somehow.”</p> + +<p>“Thanks. And here’s something else. +This script I’m going to type for Mrs. L. +has to do with the properties of a highly explosive +gas which seems to burn up everything +it comes in contact with and lets off +fumes of deadly poison while it’s doing +that! Shall I make a copy for you?”</p> + +<p>“Please do!” His hand rested on the +doorknob. “Yes, it’s important that we +have a copy. That’s the stuff Doctor Winn +has just invented, without a doubt.”</p> + +<p>“Awful!” exclaimed Dorothy. “Just +think what would happen if that were used +in a war!”</p> + +<p>“That’s the government’s business, Miss +Dixon.”</p> + +<p>“‘Ours but to do—and die—’” she +quoted and her tone was deadly serious.</p> + +<p>“Quite right. But make the carbon copy +just the same—and don’t let them catch you +at it.”</p> + +<p>“I won’t, Mr. Tunbridge.”</p> + +<p>“Bye-bye, then. I’ll get along now. +There may be some home truths floating +out of the library that will give me extra +dope on the du-Val—Lawson pair.”</p> + +<p>The door closed, and after slipping an +extra carbon and a sheet of very thin copy +paper into the typewriter, Dorothy read +Mrs. Lawson’s treatise on “Winnite and Its +Properties” from start to finish.</p> + +<p>“Horrible!” she murmured, as she finished +reading. “Simply horrible!” Again +her eyes sought the last paragraph. “The +effect is easily estimated of an airplane +dropping a single bomb filled with the explosive, +inflammable and deadly poison +gas, Winnite, upon Manhattan Island, for +instance: the bomb would explode upon detonation +and within an inconceivably short +space of time, not only would the City of +Greater New York be in flames, but every +living thing within that area would be +dead from the poison fumes. This includes +not only human, animal and insect life, but +all vegetable matter as well.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy sighed. “And I am supposed +to help keep this terrible stuff from the +hands of thieves so that our government +may use it in time of war. Well—we’ll +see—and that’s not that by a long shot!”</p> + +<p>She put down the manuscript and began +to type it.</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch14' class='break'>Chapter XIV<br /><br />PROFESSOR</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>Dorothy, upon finishing the article on +Winnite, laid the original and first carbon +copy of the typewritten sheets on Mrs. +Lawson’s desk. The almost transparent +sheets of the second carbon copy she folded +carefully as though she meant to place +them in an envelope. But instead of this, +her right foot slipped out of its walking +pump, the sheer silk stocking followed it. +Then she put on the stocking again, but +now the soft papers rested between the +stocking and the sole of her foot. The +pump fitted more snugly than before, although +not uncomfortably so. Content +with her morning’s work, she had closed +the typewriter and was studying the effect +of a new shade of powder in her compact +mirror when Mrs. Lawson came into the +room.</p> + +<p>“I take it you’ve finished the work?”</p> + +<p>“The original and copy are beside the +longhand manuscript on your desk,” said +Dorothy, toning down her efforts with the +puff. “I’ve read it over and I don’t think +you’ll find any mistakes.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lawson ran her eyes over the typewritten +sheets. “They are without a fault,” +she declared, placing them in a drawer. +“If you take dictation as accurately as you +type, Janet, you’ll be the perfect secretary.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you,” said Dorothy demurely +and slipped the compact into the pocket of +her frock. “It is very nice of you to say +that.”</p> + +<p>“Then we’ll go in to luncheon, shall we? +That is, if you’re ready?”</p> + +<p>Dorothy stood up. “Quite ready, Mrs. +Lawson, and good and hungry, too.”</p> + +<p>“Splendid!” enthused her hostess, as +they walked down the corridor toward the +entrance hall. “Doctor Winn declares +this Connecticut Ridge country is the most +healthful section of the United States. And +even if some people have other ideas on +the subject, I can testify that it is a great +appetite builder.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy smiled, but said nothing. She +was wondering how healthful she was going +to find this particular spot in the Ridge +country after what she had to do tonight.</p> + +<p>“Doctor Winn always lunches in his +study,” continued Mrs. Lawson. “That is +the room just beyond my office. My husband +has been called to New York on business. +He won’t be back until after dinner +tonight, so we will be alone at luncheon.”</p> + +<p>For some reason of her own, Laura +Lawson had become affability itself. And +for this Dorothy gave thanks. That she disliked +this truly beautiful creature was only +natural. But it is much more pleasant to +lunch with a person who puts herself out +to be charming and affable, no matter what +your private opinion of the other’s character +may be.</p> + +<p>The dining room proved to be a low-ceiled +apartment paneled in white pine; +heavy beams of the satin-finished wood +overhead, and on the walls several colorful +landscapes in oils, evidently the works of +artists who knew and loved this Ridge +country. A cheerful log fire burned +brightly on the open hearth beneath a high +mantelpiece. Outside, the heavy snow +continued to drive past frosted window-panes, +but within all was warmth and coziness.</p> + +<p>Dorothy enjoyed the meal thoroughly. +Like most girls, she revelled in luxury +when it came her way. Not only was her +hostess an interesting and entertaining +conversationalist, the delicious food +served by Tunbridge and a second man in +plum-colored knee breeches, added materially +to her pleasure. She was really sorry +when the butler lighted his mistress’ cigarette +and Mrs. Lawson rose from the table.</p> + +<p>“I have no work for you this afternoon, +Janet,” said the lady, as they strolled into +the spacious hall with its suits of polished +armor and trophies of war and the chase +decorating the walls. “I have some work +to complete with Doctor Winn, so I won’t +be free to entertain you. There are periodicals and novels in the library. If it +weren’t such a beastly day, I would suggest +a walk.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I don’t mind a snowstorm!” Dorothy +smiled at her. “I’d love to be out in it +for a while.”</p> + +<p>“But I’m afraid you might get lost. The +blizzard is driving out of the northeast—and +that means something in this country. +You’ll find it more disagreeable than you +think.”</p> + +<p>“I’m not afraid to walk in a blizzard,” +Dorothy argued, “we used to do it a lot at +school—I love it.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, very well, then,” went on Mrs. +Lawson. “I used to enjoy that sort of thing +myself. Somebody had better go with you, +though. Let me see—” She hesitated. +“Oh, yes—Gretchen will be just the person. +She’s a nice little thing—a native of +Ridgefield, you know. Gretchen can show +you round the place, and there’ll be no +chance of your getting lost.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy was amused by this pretended +concern for her safety. She knew that +Mrs. Lawson feared she might take it into +her head to walk to the railroad station +and board the first train back to town. +Gretchen as guide and chaperone would +be able to forestall anything like that. Mrs. +Lawson was not yet sure of the new secretary!</p> + +<p>Dorothy’s features betrayed no sign of +her thoughts. “That will be ever so much +pleasanter than going alone,” she agreed. +“Gretchen seems to be a sweet girl. I saw +her this morning when she brought my +breakfast and unpacked my clothes. I’m +sorry, though, that you can’t come too.” +Deception, she found, was becoming a +habit when treating with her hostess.</p> + +<p>“Thank you, my dear—I’m sorry, too.” +Mrs. Lawson went toward the tasselled bell +rope that hung beside the fireplace. “Run +upstairs now and get into warm things. +I’ll ring for Gretchen and have her meet +you down here in quarter of an hour.”</p> + +<p>Fifteen minutes afterward, warmly +dressed in whipcord jodhpurs, a heavy +sweater and knee-length leather coat of +dark green, Dorothy came out of her room +onto the gallery, pulling a white wool skating +cap well down over her ears. With a +white wool scarf twisted about her throat, +the long ends thrown back over her shoulders, +she looked ready for any winter sport +as she ran lightly down the stairs, the rubber +soles of her high arctics making no +sound on the broad oaken steps.</p> + +<p>Gretchen, well bundled up in sweater +and heavy tweed skirt was waiting for her.</p> + +<p>“You certainly do look like a picture on +a Christmas magazine cover, Miss Jordan,” +the girl exclaimed, while they walked +to the front door. “I’m glad you’ve got +warm gauntlets. It’s mighty cold out—you’ll +need them.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy laughed gaily and swung open +the door. “Nothing could be more becoming +than your own costume, Gretchen. +That light blue skating set is just the color +of your eyes.”</p> + +<p>“That,” chuckled Gretchen, “is the real +reason I bought it.”</p> + +<p>They were outside now and standing +under the wide porte-cochere of glass and +wrought iron.</p> + +<p>“It’s glorious out here, and not too cold, +either.” Dorothy sniffed the sharp air enthusiastically. +“I hate staying indoors on +a wild day like this. Look at those big +flakes spinning down and sideslipping into +the drifts. It makes one glad to be alive.”</p> + +<p>“You said it, Miss Jordan. I love it myself—though +I never thought of snowflakes +being like airplanes before. Which +way do you want to go?”</p> + +<p>“You’re the leader, Gretchen. Anywhere +you say suits me.”</p> + +<p>“Then let’s tramp over to the pond, Miss +Jordan. The ice ought to be holding. +We’ll stop at the garage and fetch a broom +along. There’s too much snow for skating, +but we might make a slide.”</p> + +<p>“That will be fun,” agreed Dorothy, as +they came down the steps and swung along +the white expanse of driveway. “I haven’t +done anything like that since I was a kid. +How far’s the pond from here?”</p> + +<p>“About half a mile. Doctor Winn owns +several hundred acres. It’s down yonder +in a hollow. This time of year when the +trees are bare, you can see it plainly from +the house. Today there’s too much snow.”</p> + +<p>“There certainly is plenty of it!” Dorothy +was ploughing through the fluffy white +mass nearly up to her knees. “A good eighteen +inches must have fallen already and +it’s drifting fast. If it doesn’t stop by tonight, +Winncote will be snowed in for a +while. What’s that building over there, +Gretchen—gray stone, isn’t it?”</p> + +<p>“That’s the laboratory, miss. It’s really +a wing of the house. The stables are just +beyond, but this storm’s so thick, it blots +them out. Well, here we are at the garage. +If you’ll wait a minute, I’ll step inside and +get a broom.”</p> + +<p>“Get two if you can,” suggested Dorothy. +“Then we’ll both get some exercise, +and they’ll come in handy while we’re getting +through the drifts.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll do my best,” said Gretchen. She +disappeared through a door in the side of +the building.</p> + +<p>Dorothy looked about her. Rolling +clouds of windswept snowflakes made it +impossible to see objects more than a few +yards away with any distinctness. The +dark shadow of low clouds painted the +white of her landscape a cold, dull gray. +But she noticed, as she waited, that the +storm was driving in gusts, that occasionally +there would be a short lull when the +sun, tinging the sky with rose and yellow, +seemed fighting to break its way through to +this white-blanketed world. Then Gretchen, +a broom in each hand, joined her.</p> + +<p>“Whew! that place was stuffy,” she said, +handing one of the brooms to Dorothy, +and starting ahead at right angles from the +way they had come. “Hanley made a fuss +giving me two—he would! It’s a wonder +the cars don’t melt in there. He keeps the +place like an oven. All the help from the +city is like that. They can’t seem to get +warm enough, and the way they hate fresh +air is a caution! I roomed with Sadie, the +other chambermaid, when I first came, and +you won’t believe it, but that girl had nailed +our window shut so it couldn’t be opened! +I spoke to Mr. Tunbridge next morning, +and he gave me a room of my own. I always +did like Mr. Tunbridge. He’s a real +gentleman, he is.”</p> + +<p>They forged ahead through the drifts to +the crossfire of Gretchen’s light chatter, +and Dorothy was given a series of entertaining +stories concerning the habits of the +Winncote servants and their life below-stairs. +It was rough going with the storm +in their faces, and Gretchen eventually +ceased her gossiping from sheer lack of +breath. The ground began to slope gently +downward, and finally they came to a belt +of trees in a hollow. Fifty yards farther on, +a broad expanse of white marked the extent +of Winncote Pond beneath its thick, +flat quilt of snow.</p> + +<p>“Think the ice will hold?” Dorothy +walked to the brink of the little lake. “I’d +hate to go in on a day like this.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, that’s all right. I was down here +for an hour yesterday afternoon with my +skates before the snow began, and it was +much warmer then. The ice was wonderful—slick +as glass and solid as a rock.”</p> + +<p>By dint of considerable exercise they +cleared two narrow paths that ran parallel +across the ice. Then they commenced a +series of sliding contests, each girl on her +own ice track. Starting at a line in the +snow a few yards above the low bank, they +would race forward to the brink and shoot +out on the ice, vying with each other to +see who could slide the farthest. There +were several tumbles at first, but the deep +snow along the sides of the tracks prevented +bad bumps. Soon, however, they +both became adepts at the sport. Dorothy, +aided by her extra weight, for she was at +least twenty pounds heavier than little +Gretchen, invariably won.</p> + +<p>After a half an hour of this rather violent +sport, they cleared the snow from a fallen +tree trunk and sat down for a rest. Here +in the hollow, surrounded by trees, the +wind lost a great deal of its force. But the +snow continued to fall unabated, and their +hot breath clouded like steam in the cold +air. Their cheeks were tingling crimson +from the racing, and both felt in high good +spirits.</p> + +<p>“I can’t understand why so many rich +people go south every winter,” Gretchen +said earnestly. “I wouldn’t miss out on this +fun—the snow and the skating, tobogganing—for +anything in the world.”</p> + +<p>“People like that,” decreed Dorothy, +“just don’t know how to live. You can +have lots of fun in summer, of course. I +don’t know which I love the best. But this +sort of thing makes you feel just grand. It +certainly put the pep into—.” She stopped +short and sprang to her feet. From somewhere +close by and seemingly below her, +had come a low, moaning sound.</p> + +<p>Gretchen jumped up. Her doll-like +face with its round, blue eyes took on a look +of startled wonder. “What was that?” she +cried. “It sounded as if I—as if I was +sitting on it!”</p> + +<p>Again came the low cry in a weird, +minor key.</p> + +<p>“You were. It’s coming from the inside +of this log. An animal of some kind.”</p> + +<p>“Why, I guess you’re right. Whatever +it is, the thing gave me the heebie-jeebies +for a minute.”</p> + +<p>The snow had drifted over the butt of the +half-rotted tree. Dorothy took her broom +and swept it clear.</p> + +<p>“The log’s hollow!” she exclaimed and +bent down. “Yes, there’s something in +there—I can see its eyes—come here, Gretchen! +You can see for yourself.”</p> + +<p>“Not me!” declared that young woman. +“I don’t want to get bit—I mean, bitten, +miss.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, never mind the grammar.” Dorothy +was almost standing on her head, trying +to get a better view. “But do cut out the +polite trimmings when we’re alone. You’re +Gretchen and I’m Dorothy—savez?”</p> + +<p>“All right—Dorothy. But please be +careful. That thing may jump out at you.”</p> + +<p>“I wish it would. Then I’d know what +it is. And whatever it is, the animal in there +can’t be much bigger than a rabbit. The +hole isn’t wide enough.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe it is a rabbit.” Gretchen came +nearer.</p> + +<p>“Did you ever hear a rabbit make a noise +like that?” Dorothy’s tone was disdainful.</p> + +<p>“Then—maybe it’s a wildcat!” said +Gretchen fearfully.</p> + +<p>“Well, if it is, it’s a small one. Here, +puss—puss. The silly thing is too far in +to reach. She just blinks at me.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps she’s hurt and crawled in there +to die, Dorothy.”</p> + +<p>“Aren’t you cheerful! She probably +crawled in there to get out of the storm, and +is half-frozen, poor thing.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I don’t know what we’re going to +do about it,” sighed Gretchen, still keeping +her distance.</p> + +<p>Once more the low moan came from the +log, but now that the end was free from +snow, the sound was much clearer.</p> + +<p>“That’s no wildcat, either!” Dorothy +twisted her head, first to the right, then to +the left, in an attempt to get a better light on +the log’s occupant. “There’s too much of +a whine in that cry. The thing’s probably a +young fox. How does one call a fox, +Gretchen? I’m hanged if I know.”</p> + +<p>“Nor me, neither, Dorothy. It’s the first +time I’ve ever heard of anybody wanting +to call one.”</p> + +<p>They both laughed. “You don’t seem +to know much about foxes,” teased Dorothy. +“Didn’t you ever see a fox?”</p> + +<p>“No. But my father says the way they +steal eggs and suck them is a caution.”</p> + +<p>“Well,” admitted Dorothy, “we can’t +stand around here all day, trying to get +frozen foxes out of hollow logs. I’ll try +whistling, and you can make a noise like a +sucked egg. If that doesn’t work, we’ll +have to leave him in his lair.” With a wink +at the giggling Gretchen, she bent down +again and whistled shrilly. “Here, boy!” +she called. “Come on out to your mama!”</p> + +<p>There was a scrambling noise within the +log, and Gretchen started for the pond.</p> + +<p>“Oh, be careful, Dorothy! Do be careful!” +she cried, as she saw her friend gather +a small creature into her arms. “What is +it, anyway—is it a fox?”</p> + +<p>“No, a first cousin.” Dorothy shook the +ends of her wool scarf free from snow and +wrapped them around the small animal.</p> + +<p>“A first cousin?” Gretchen came nearer. +“What in the world do you mean by that?”</p> + +<p>“Come and take a look,” her friend invited. +“He won’t bite you, will you, boy?”</p> + +<p>Gretchen saw her pat a little black nose +that poked its way out of the scarf. A long +pointed head, brindle and white, in which +were set two snapping black eyes, followed +the nose. “Why, why, it’s a fox terrier—a +fox terrier puppy!” she gasped. “How do +you suppose he ever came to crawl into that +log?”</p> + +<p>Dorothy patted the dog’s head. “Got +lost in the storm, I guess. The poor little +chap can’t be over three months old. Does +he belong up at the house?”</p> + +<p>“No, he doesn’t. What’s more, none of +the people who live around here have a fox +terrier pup that I know of.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy examined the pup’s front paws, +but did so very gently. “This little man +has come a long way.” She covered him +again. “The bottom of his feet show it. +They’re cut and badly swollen. And he’s +half-frozen and starved into the bargain, +I’ll bet. Let’s go back to the house and +make him comfortable.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll carry the brooms,” said Gretchen. +“You have an armful, with him. By the +way, you’re going to keep him, aren’t +you?”</p> + +<p>“Surest thing you know! That is, unless +someone comes to claim him.”</p> + +<p>They trudged off through the trees and +up the hill, Gretchen shouldering the +brooms.</p> + +<p>“What are you going to call him?” she +asked, after a while.</p> + +<p>“What do you think?”</p> + +<p>“Why, I don’t know. Wait a minute, +though—there’s a girl who lives over in +Silvermine named Dorothea Gutmann. +Daddy sometimes does work for her father. +Dorothea has a fox terrier pup and she calls +him ‘Professor.’ Do you know why?”</p> + +<p>“I give up,” said Dorothy, floundering +through the snow beside her. “Why does +Dorothea Gutmann call her fox terrier pup +Professor?”</p> + +<p>“Because,” smiled Gretchen in delight, +“he just about ate up a dictionary!”</p> + +<p>Dorothy laughed merrily, and hugged +the warm little bundle in her arms. “And +when you’ve got outside a lot of words like +that, even a pup would know as much as the +average professor, I s’pose.”</p> + +<p>“That’s the way Dorothea thought about +it. I’ve been over to the Gutmanns a couple +of times with Daddy and her dog looks +enough like yours to be a twin!”</p> + +<p>“We run into doubles nowadays, every +day!” Dorothy chuckled. “First it’s Janet +and me who can’t be told apart. Then it’s +Dorothea’s dog and mine. I know her, +too, by the way. She’s in the New Canaan +Junior High. But I haven’t seen her +puppy. Our names are almost alike, too, +but not quite, thank goodness. If any more +of this double identity business comes +along, I’ll just have to give up. A girl’s +got to have some sort of a personality all her +own, you know.”</p> + +<p>“I wouldn’t let that worry me,” said +Gretchen. “There’s only one Dorothy +Dixon, after all.”</p> + +<p>“Thanks for those kind words, Gretchen. +That’s really very sweet of you, +though. If the pup was a lady, I’d call him +‘Gretchen’. Since he isn’t, ‘Professor’ will +do very nicely. We’ll try him on a dictionary +when we get home, that is, after he’s had +some nice warm bread and milk, and a +good sleep.”</p> + +<p>“If,” smiled Gretchen, “what you said +just now was meant for a compliment—well, +I’m glad Professor is not a lady. +You’d better go on to the house, while I +drop these brooms in here at the garage. +I’ll come to your room just as soon as I can +slip into my uniform, and I’ll bring up the +bread and milk.”</p> + +<p>“I always knew you were a dear,” said +Dorothy, and she continued to push her +way on toward the house.</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch15' class='break'>Chapter XV<br /><br />TEA AND ORDERS</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>After she had changed her clothes and +fed the famished pup with a bowl of warm +milk and bread, Dorothy took him down to +the library. Gretchen brought a small +open basket and a blanket and they made +him a bed near the open fire. Professor +promptly went to sleep, and his mistress +curled up in a deep chair beside him, reading +and dozing for the rest of the afternoon. +To amuse Gretchen, she had placed +a dictionary near the basket, to see if Professor +would follow his double’s example +and so justify his name. When he awoke, +however, about four o’clock, he merely +jumped out of his bed on to the book, and +up to Dorothy’s lap, where he went to sleep +again.</p> + +<p>“Good ole pup!” Dorothy rubbed his +smooth, warm head between his ears. “You +show your intelligence by using the dictionary +as a stepping stone to better things, +don’t you, Prof!”</p> + +<p>She yawned, closed her book, and +promptly went to sleep again herself.</p> + +<p>She awoke with a start, to find Mrs. Lawson +smiling down at her. Tunbridge was +laying the tea-things on a table at the other +side of the fire. “Well, my dear,” the lady +said, her eyes on the fox terrier, “I see +you’ve found a new friend.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes, isn’t he just too darling? I +found him out in the blizzard, he was half +frozen and almost starved!” She went on +to tell Mrs. Lawson about it.</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid I’m not very fond of animals, +Janet.” Dorothy noticed that she did not +attempt to touch the puppy. “I don’t dislike +them, you understand, but somehow +they never seem to like me.”</p> + +<p>“That’s too bad,” said Dorothy. “I do +hope you won’t mind my keeping him—at +least until we learn who his owner is?”</p> + +<p>Laura Lawson looked doubtful. “Well, +I don’t mind. But—this is Doctor Winn’s +house, you know, and his decision, after all, +is the one that counts. You will have to ask +him about keeping the dog, Janet.”</p> + +<p>“Is Doctor Winn going to have tea with +us, Mrs. Lawson?”</p> + +<p>“He most certainly is, my dear. That is, +if you ladies will pour him a cup.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy glanced up, and beside her +stood an old gentleman, very tall and spare, +but bowed with the weight of his years. +She knew that the scientist was well over +eighty. Catching up the fox terrier, she +rose to her feet.</p> + +<p>“How do you do, Doctor Winn?” She +smiled and offered him her hand.</p> + +<p>The old gentleman bent over it with +courtly grace. “Good afternoon, Miss +Janet Jordan. Welcome to Winncote.” +Merry gray eyes twinkled at her from behind +pince-nez attached to a broad black +ribbon. An aristocrat of the old school, +Dorothy thought, as she studied his handsome, +clean shaven face crisscrossed with +the tiny wrinkles of advanced age. She had +imagined him to be quite a different sort of +person. His next words proved that he +read her thoughts.</p> + +<p>“You expected to see a musty old fellow, +with a long white beard, wearing a smock +stained by chemicals, eh?” He chuckled +softly. “Now, tell me, young lady, isn’t +that so? Though I admit these flannel +slacks and old Norfolk jacket are hardly +fashionable habiliments when one is taking +tea with ladies!”</p> + +<p>He released her hand and smiled a greeting +to Mrs. Lawson. The second footman, +he of the plum-colored knee-breeches, set +the tea table before that young matron, +under the supervision of the stately Tunbridge.</p> + +<p>Dorothy liked this gallant old scientist +and his courtly ways. Her own eyes +sparkled gaily back at him. “Yes, you did +surprise me, Doctor Winn,” she confessed. +“Please don’t think I’m being forward, but—but +you seem much more like the English +fox-hunting squires I’ve read about, +than the world-renowned chemist you +really are, with stacks of letters after your +name. But ever so much nicer, and jollier, +you know!”</p> + +<p>Doctor Winn beamed. “Now that, my +dear, is a most charming compliment. Old +fellows like me aren’t used to compliments +from young ladies, either. Do sit down +again, please, and tell me how you like +Winncote and our New England snowstorms. +We old people need young folks +around. I can see that we are going to be +good friends.”</p> + +<p>He sat down in a chair the butler drew +up for him.</p> + +<p>“Mrs. Lawson will tell you,” replied +Dorothy, “that I love it out here in the +country.” She accepted a cup of tea from +Tunbridge and added sugar and a slice of +lemon. The butler was followed by his +liveried assistant, bearing silver platters of +hot, buttered scones and tiny iced cakes. +Professor immediately began to show interest +in the proceedings. Dorothy held +him firmly out of harm’s way, and placed +her tea and eatables on the broad arm of +her chair.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lawson looked up from her place +behind the shining silver and old china of +the tea table. She smiled graciously. “Oh, +yes, Janet loves blizzards, too, Doctor +Winn. She went out for a walk this afternoon +and acquired a fox terrier puppy, as +you see.”</p> + +<p>“And naturally, she wants to keep him.” +The old gentleman leaned forward in his +chair, the better to look at Professor. “You +certainly may, Janet. And by the way, I +hope you’ll agree that it’s an old man’s +privilege to call you by your first name?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, that is sweet of you!” Dorothy +cried delightedly, and the Doctor’s chuckle +echoed her pleasure.</p> + +<p>“The dog’s got a fine head—a very fine +head, indeed. If anybody advertises for +him, or comes to claim him, I’ll take pleasure +in buying the puppy for you.”</p> + +<p>“Why, you’re nicer every minute,” declared +Dorothy. “Isn’t he, Professor?”</p> + +<p>The pup yawned with great indifference, +which set all three of them laughing. His +mistress put him in his blanket where he +promptly curled up and fell into slumber +once more.</p> + +<p>“I sadly fear,” said Doctor Winn, as he +polished his pince-nez with a white silk +handkerchief, “that you are a good deal of +a flirt Janet. But inasmuch as I am old +enough to be your grandfather, or great-grandfather, +for that matter, you are pardoned +with a reprimand.” He chuckled +deep in his throat, a habit he had when +pleased. “Now tell me, how you happened +to find him out in the snow.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy recounted the story in detail. +When she came to the part about Gretchen’s +fear of the wildcat and the fox, even +Mrs. Lawson, who was none too sure she +liked the turn things were taking, broke +into a merry peal of laughter.</p> + +<p>“Capital, capital!” Doctor Winn +beamed. “I only wish I’d been there to see +it. But why, may I ask, do you call him +Professor?”</p> + +<p>Dorothy explained about the dictionary +and Gretchen’s idea of the pup’s resemblance +to Dorothea Gutmann’s fox terrier.</p> + +<p>“Better and better,” exclaimed the Doctor. +“This is the jolliest tea we’ve had in +this house for ages. We need young people +around us to be really happy. You and I +and Martin, Laura, have been working too +hard of late. ‘All work and no play’—We’ve +been bothering too much about +things scientific, and neglecting things personal. +Well now, we can rest a while, and +become human beings again.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lawson leaned forward eagerly. +“Then, the formula is complete?” she +asked in a low voice, in which Dorothy detected +the barely controlled tremor of excitement.</p> + +<p>“Yes, indeed. Finished and locked in +my safe. I added the final figures and quantities +three-quarters of an hour ago. Tomorrow, +or if the weather doesn’t clear by +then, the next day at latest, I shall take it on +to Washington.”</p> + +<p>“I congratulate you, Doctor. And I +know that once it is in the hands of the +government, a great load will be taken off +your mind.”</p> + +<p>“You’re right, my dear, you are right. +I’ve been jumpy as a cat with eight of its +lives gone for the past year.” He turned +to Dorothy. “Thank goodness, you’re +young and without responsibilities, Janet. +There are so many unscrupulous people +about nowadays. If those papers were lost +or stolen, there is no telling what would +happen. I dare not think of it. The whole +world might suffer if that formula got into +the wrong hands!”</p> + +<p>Dorothy could not help thinking that the +world at large would be much better off if +the formula were destroyed. She, therefore, +merely nodded and looked impressed. +How this gentle, kindly old man could have +brought himself to invent such a ghastly +menace to life, she found it difficult to +understand.</p> + +<p>Laura Lawson stood up. “Doctor Winn +likes to dine early, Janet, so if we are to be +dressed by six-thirty, we had better start upstairs.”</p> + +<p>“My word, yes!” The old gentleman +snapped open the hunting case of his repeater and got stiffly to his feet. “Time flies +when one is enjoying oneself. It’s nearly +six o’clock. This has been very pleasant indeed, +the first of many afternoons, I hope.” +He snapped the watch shut and returned it +to his pocket. “You ladies will excuse me, +I’m sure.” He bowed to them both, and +holding himself much more erect than he +had formerly, walked stiffly from the room.</p> + +<p>“He’s simply darling,” exclaimed Dorothy +in a hushed voice.</p> + +<p>“Yes, he’s a very simple and a very fine +old gentleman,” said Laura Lawson. She +seemed lost in her thoughts and evidently +unaware that she uttered them aloud. +“Sometimes—I hate to hurt him so.”</p> + +<p>“Why—why, what do you mean?” Dorothy +could have bitten her own tongue out +for speaking that sentence.</p> + +<p>“Mean—? Oh, nothing, child. Run +along now, and change. But take your +dog with you. I’ll see that one of the men +gives him a run in the stables while we’re at +dinner.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you very much,” said Dorothy. +She turned the sleeping pup out of his bed, +caught up the basket, and with Professor at +her heels, ran lightly from the room.</p> + +<p>Just outside the door she collided with +Tunbridge, and Professor’s basket was +jerked from her grasp.</p> + +<p>“Oh, I’m so very sorry, Miss Jordan!” +His acting was perfect. Dorothy knew that +Mrs. Lawson was close behind them. Then +as they both stooped to retrieve the basket +their heads came close together. “Under +your pillow!” It was hardly more than the +breath of a whisper, but Dorothy caught +the words, nodded her understanding, and +stood up.</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid I’m to blame, Tunbridge. I +didn’t see you coming.”</p> + +<p>“Not at all, Miss. It was my fault, entirely. +Very clumsy of me I’m sure!”</p> + +<p>From the corner of her eye Dorothy +caught a glimpse of Laura Lawson watching +them from the doorway.</p> + +<p>“Don’t let it worry you, Tunbridge. I’m +not hurt, neither is the basket. Professor +will probably park himself on my <em>pillow</em> +tonight, anyway. Puppies have a way of +doing such things, you know. So it really +wouldn’t matter much if you had smashed +it.”</p> + +<p>She gave him a nod, and picking up the +dog made for the staircase.</p> + +<p>“So instructions are waiting under my +pillow,” she mused, as she slowly mounted +the broad stair. The afternoon had been a +pleasant one, but the evening, with those +instructions ahead of her, portended to be +something quite different. It had been so +nice and cheerful, chatting round the tea +table; so cozy sitting before the glowing +logs, just talking of jolly things and forgetting +all worry and responsibility. Of +course, beyond the curtained windows, the +blizzard howled. And it whipped the +swirling snowflakes into disordered clouds +with its arctic lash before it let them seek +the shelter of their fellows in the drifts. She +felt very much as though she too were a +snowflake, tossed hither and thither on the +storm of circumstance, to be whipped forward +by the secret lash of underlying crime.</p> + +<p>If she could only drop down on to her +bed and sleep—and awake to find it all a +bad dream! She sighed and went toward +her door on the gallery. Her pillow held +no peace for her tonight—nothing more +nor less than detailed instructions as to how +Tunbridge wished her to rob a safe. Why +didn’t the man do his own stealing? Her +part was to take Janet’s place out here, and +kill suspicion in Laura Lawson. Well, +she’d done that, hadn’t she? And now they +loaded this other job on to her. It wasn’t +fair. She had done enough—she’d—</p> + +<p>“Oh, shucks!” She pulled herself up +mentally as her hand fell on the doorknob. +“I’ll be losing my nerve altogether, if I let +my thoughts run on this way. D. Dixon, +you just <em>must not</em> funk it!”</p> + +<p>She turned the knob and entered her +room.</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch16' class='break'>Chapter XVI<br /><br />CAUGHT IN THE ACT</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>When Dorothy went down to dinner that +evening, she knew exactly what she had to +do. After reading Tunbridge’s note which +she found had been slipped between the +pillow case and the pillow itself, she had +memorized the combination to Doctor +Winn’s safe, and destroyed the missive as +she had his warning of the night before. +After a bath and a complete change of +clothing, she felt refreshed and in a much +better frame of mind. She had selected one +of the prettiest gowns in Janet’s wardrobe, +a turquoise blue crepe, with a cluster of +silver roses fastened in the twisted velvet +girdle, put on slippers to match, and surveyed +the result in the mirror.</p> + +<p>“Decidedly becoming, my girl,” she +smiled at her reflection, and gave a last pat +to her shining bob that she had brushed +until it lay like a bronze cap close about her +shapely head. “Might as well look my best +at my criminal debut!” She made a face +at herself, turned and kissed the sleeping +puppy in his basket, and went downstairs.</p> + +<p>Doctor Winn and Mrs. Lawson were +standing talking in the entrance hall, near +the fireplace. The old gentleman, dressed +in immaculate dinner clothes, looked more +than ever like the English squire in his ancestral +hall. He came forward to meet her, +both hands outstretched.</p> + +<p>“As charming as an English primrose +and twice as beautiful!” he greeted gaily.</p> + +<p>“Thank you kindly, sir.” She dropped +him a little curtsey and let him lead her to +Mrs. Lawson.</p> + +<p>“Our little secretary has blossomed into +a very lovely debutante,” he beamed.</p> + +<p>Dorothy bit her lip, remembering her +own phrase of a few moments before, then +smiled at her employer. Mrs. Lawson was +regal in black velvet, trimmed in narrow +bands of ermine. She returned Dorothy’s +smile, and lifted her finely pencilled brows +at the Doctor. “Oh, you men. You are all +alike. A pretty gown, a pretty face intrigues +you, young or old. Pay no attention +to his flattery, Janet. I can hardly +blame him, though. You look lovely tonight. +That is an exquisite frock. Did you +buy it abroad?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, no, at a little place on fifty-seventh +street.” Of course Dorothy had no idea +where Janet had bought the dress. “It is a +Paris model, though, Mrs. Lawson.”</p> + +<p>“I thought as much. Ah, here comes +Tunbridge with the cocktails. I wonder +which side of the fence you are on?”</p> + +<p>“I’m—I’m afraid I don’t know quite +what you mean, Mrs. Lawson.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll explain,” broke in the old gentleman. +“I’m the prohibitionist in this house, +Janet. Mrs. Lawson is one of the antis. +She likes a real cocktail before dinner. I +prefer one made of tomato juice.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lawson had already helped herself +to a brimming glass and a small canapé of +caviar from the silver tray Tunbridge was +holding.</p> + +<p>“Oh, I love tomato cocktails,” smiled +Dorothy. She took one from the man and +helped herself to the caviar. “Daddy asked +me not to drink until I was twenty-one—and +I’m not so keen on the idea, anyway.”</p> + +<p>“I try to keep an open mind about such +things,” the Doctor said seriously, “but +I’ve never found that the use of alcohol did +anyone any good. Well, here’s your very +good health, ladies!” He raised his glass +of tomato juice and drank.</p> + +<p>Dinner was announced a few minutes +later. Doctor Winn offered his right arm +to Mrs. Lawson and his left to Dorothy and +they walked into the dining room. Dorothy +did not enjoy that meal as much as she +had her luncheon. True, the food was +delicious and the panelled room with its +cheerful fire on the hearth and the soft glow +of candle light was delightfully homey, +while Doctor Winn’s easy chatter and fund +of interesting reminiscence helped to break +the tedium of the courses. But Dorothy +found it difficult to play up to his amusing +sallies. The old gentleman appeared to be +in very good spirits indeed. Laura Lawson, +on the other hand, was unusually quiet. +At times she seemed distrait and merely +smiled absently when spoken to. She +drank several glasses of claret, but hardly +touched her food. Dorothy felt surer than +ever that the Lawsons had planned their +coup for tonight. She shrewdly surmised +that this cold-blooded adventuress had become +fond of the genial, fatherly old man, +and realized that at his age the blow she +contemplated might very well prove a fatal +one.</p> + +<p>As the dinner wore on, Dorothy felt +more and more ill at ease. The sight of +Tunbridge, soft-footed and efficient, waiting +on table or superintending his satellite +of the plum-colored kneebreeches, sent her +thoughts to the night’s work ahead every +time the detective-butler came into the +room. She was glad when at last the meal +was over and they repaired to the library +where after-dinner coffee was served. +Dorothy rarely drank coffee in the evening, +but tonight she allowed Tunbridge to fill +her cup a second time. There must be no +sleep for her until the wee hours of the +morning, and she knew from former experience +that the black coffee would keep +her awake.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lawson, after wandering aimlessly +about the room, finally picked up a technical +magazine and commenced to read. +Doctor Winn suggested a game of chess +to Dorothy. She was fond of the ancient +game and told him so. Many a tournament +she and her father had played with +their red and white ivory chessmen. Dr. +Winn was a brilliant player, of long experience. +Soon he began to compliment +Dorothy upon a number of strategic +moves. But although several times she +managed to place his king in check, it was +invariably her own royal chessman who +was checkmated in the end. As the evening +wore on, the beatings became more frequent, +for Dorothy simply could not keep +her mind on the game.</p> + +<p>For a while she sat watching the log fire +and talking to the Doctor in a desultory +way while Mrs. Lawson continued to read. +Then as the grandfather clock chimed ten, +Laura Lawson laid down her magazine +and stood up.</p> + +<p>“I think I’ll go to bed now, if you don’t +mind.” The half stifled yawn, sheer camouflage +thought Dorothy, was nevertheless +a masterpiece of deception. “I’ve a bit +of a headache, so I’ll say good night.”</p> + +<p>Doctor Winn and Dorothy got to their +feet. “I’m for bed myself,” announced the +old gentleman, “and in spite of the coffee +you drank after dinner, I know you’re +sleepy, Janet. Your chess playing toward +the end proved it.” His eyes twinkled at +her. “But in storm or clear weather, +there’s nothing like the air of this Connecticut +Ridge Country to make one eat +and sleep. By the way, Laura, when do +you expect Martin?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I forgot to tell you, Doctor—he +won’t be back tonight. He phoned me +from town just before dinner, that on account +of the blizzard, he had decided to +stay in until tomorrow. If you need him +sooner, he said to call up the Roosevelt. +He always stops there, you know.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, yes, but I shan’t need him, thank +you.” He turned to Dorothy. “The railroad +has taken upon itself to discontinue +all service to Ridgefield,” he explained. +“Branchville is our nearest station, and +driving will be difficult tonight. There +must be very deep drifts by this time.”</p> + +<p>“I should think it would be mighty unpleasant +to get stuck out in a blizzard like +this. I’m glad I don’t have to go out into it. +But in a way I’m thankful for the snow, because +we ought to have a white Christmas, +and it’s ever so much more fun.”</p> + +<p>“Bless my soul! I’d entirely forgotten +that Christmas comes next week. Well, +this year we must celebrate the Yuletide in +the good old fashioned way. Thank you, +Janet, for reminding me.”</p> + +<p>Good nights were said, and a few minutes +later Dorothy was again alone in the +Pink Bedroom. Or so she thought, as she +entered. But at once she noticed that a +single shaded wall-light sent a pleasant +glow from the bay window, and curled up +in the cushioned recess, Gretchen was reading.</p> + +<p>Dorothy stopped short in surprise and +the girl sprang to her feet. “Oh, Miss—Miss +Jordan, Mr. Tunbridge told me to +come and help you undress and get ready +for the night. Of course I didn’t know if +you would want me—” then she added in a +whisper, “but he thought you might be sort +of blue and I could cheer you up, I guess.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy smiled at Gretchen’s pretty, +earnest face. “Why, of course I want you, +Gretchen. Tunbridge is very thoughtful. +I’ve never had the luxury of a personal +maid and I don’t know that I’ll ever feel +helpless enough to need one! But if you +want to stay and talk, I’d love it.”</p> + +<p>“But I can help you, too,” Gretchen insisted. +“I’m not really a trained maid, you +know, but Nanette—that’s Mrs. Lawson’s +French maid—has been teaching me. Gee, +I’d certainly love to be <em>your</em> personal maid, +Miss Jordan.”</p> + +<p>“Well, you may be, some day, who +knows?” she laughed. “But you can help +me tonight, though there’ll be no bed for +me until much later.”</p> + +<p>Gretchen, who was arranging the pillows +and smoothing the covers on the bed, +turned her head sharply. “Secret Service +Work?” she queried in an excited whisper.</p> + +<p>Dorothy nodded and tossed her dress on +to a chair. She continued speaking in a +tone just above a whisper. “At twelve +o’clock tonight I’ve got to go downstairs +and commit justifiable burglary in Doctor +Winn’s office. The real thief will be along +later—at least, I hope so, for everybody’s +sake. In the meantime I want you to do +something for me—will you?”</p> + +<p>“I sure will, miss—gee, this is exciting!”</p> + +<p>“Don’t let it cramp your style.” Dorothy +laughed, and pulling off her stocking, +she handed Gretchen the packet of thin +paper, the manuscript on “Winnite” that +she had typed that morning. “When you +finish up in here, I want you to find Mr. +Tunbridge and give him these papers. +You’d better pin it inside your uniform +now, and be very careful that nobody sees +you giving it to him.”</p> + +<p>“You can trust me,” declared Gretchen, +and she put the papers safely within her +dress. “Is Mr. Tunbridge really a detective?”</p> + +<p>“He certainly is, Gretchen.”</p> + +<p>“I’d never have guessed it if you hadn’t +told me. But then, I suppose not looking +like one makes him all the better?”</p> + +<p>“That’s the idea.” Dorothy put Janet’s +quilted satin dressing gown on over her +pajamas. “Now that I’m ready for bed, +and you’ve put all my clothes away so +nicely, I think you’d better run along, +Gretchen. Not,” she amended, “that I +wouldn’t love to talk to you while I’m waiting +for twelve o’clock, but we must not let +certain people in this house get wise to our +friendship.”</p> + +<p>“And Mrs. Lawson is one awful snoopy +lady,” Gretchen observed candidly. “Well, +good night, Miss Jordan. Thank you a lot +for letting me in on this. I’ll see that Mr. +Tunbridge gets your papers all right. +Good night—and take care of yourself.” +She stood before Dorothy with an anxious +frown on her honest brow. “I sure do wish +you the very best luck!”</p> + +<p>Dorothy grinned. “Thank you. I certainly +need it. Good night.”</p> + +<p>The door closed upon the little maid and +Dorothy looked at her wrist watch. It was +ten minutes to eleven. For a time she sat +on the edge of her bed and stared unseeingly +at the rug under her feet. Presently +she got up, locked her door, turned off her +lights and went over to the window. She +drew aside the curtains and was surprised +to see that it had stopped snowing. There +was no moon, but what sky she could see +was fairly a-crackle with stars. The heavy +blanket of snow looked silver in the starlight. +A remote world and cold. Dorothy +allowed the curtains to drop back into +place, and sat down on the window seat. +Lost in thoughts pleasant and unpleasant, +she sat there for the next hour, while the +faint noises of the big house gradually subsided +into stillness.</p> + +<p>At exactly five minutes to twelve, Dorothy +raised the window, letting in the cold +night air. Then she turned off the heat and +got into bed. After lying there for possibly +a minute, she threw back the covers, +thrust her feet into the fur-lined slippers +she had left at the bedside and moved like a +dim shadow to the closet.</p> + +<p>It was crowded with Janet’s suits, coats +and frocks, and she was careful not to disturb +them on their hangers, as she pushed +between them in the darkness to the rear +wall and pressed her foot on the board in +the corner. The panel slid upward with a +noiselessness that spoke for well-oiled machinery +somewhere in the walls. Dorothy +stepped cautiously through the opening. +Her fingers sought the handle to this sliding +door, found it, and she pulled the panel +down again.</p> + +<p>Then for the first time she made use of +the small flashlight which she carried in +the pocket of her gown. She saw that she +was standing on the top step of a narrow +circular stair that wound downward. Off +went her light again—she was taking no +unnecessary chances tonight—and with +her hand on the metal handrail, she felt her +way slowly down the stair, holding her free +hand well in advance of her body.</p> + +<p>When her extended fingers touched +a wall that blocked further progress, she +felt with a slippered foot out to the right. +The board gave slightly, the wall panel +moved upward and she stepped forth to +find herself in the great fireplace of the entrance +hall, just beyond the embers of the +dying logs. The hall was illuminated in +the dim glow of a night light in the ceiling. +As she turned to pull down the sliding +shutter, there came a streak of white from +the dark passage and Professor bounded +into the hall.</p> + +<p>Dorothy was completely startled, and +just as exasperated as she could be. She +could not call him, for the slightest sound +might bring the wakeful enemy to the spot. +The pup, after his long sleep, was playful, +and scampered about madly, his bright eyes +watching her every move. She attempted +to catch him, but he eluded her with an +agility that made her still more angry. He +seemed to think that this was a splendid +game, raced across the floor in high glee, +but ever watchful to keep beyond her +reach.</p> + +<p>Dorothy gave it up as a bad job. She +dared not pursue him too determinedly, for +fear he would bark. She pulled down the +sliding shutter in the fireplace, and leaving +Professor to his frolic, hurried on to the +door of Doctor Winn’s office.</p> + +<p>Inside the room with the door shut, her +flashlight came into play for the second +time. It took her but a moment with the +memorized combination at her fingertips +to open the safe. The door was surprisingly +heavy, but at last the interior of the small +vault came within her line of vision. From +a drawer she took a folded sheet of white +paper. Out of her pocket came a pencil +and another sheet of paper. In an amazingly +short time she copied the formula and +replaced the original in the safe drawer. +She tucked the copy into the fur lining of +her slipper under her bare foot. Then suddenly +she sprang up.</p> + +<p>Her heart leaped into her throat. In the +corridor just outside there came the sound +of a footstep. There was no time to do +more than shut off her torch and drop it, together +with her pencil, into the waste paper +basket. The door opened, lights flashed +on, and Martin Lawson walked into the +room.</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch17' class='break'>Chapter XVII<br /><br />PROFESSOR MAKES GOOD</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>In that moment, Dorothy knew what she +must do. A shiver ran over her slender +frame and she blinked as though partly +awakened by the flash of lights. Then, +with eyes wide open and staring straight +ahead, she slowly walked toward Martin +Lawson and the open doorway.</p> + +<p>“<em>Stop!</em>”</p> + +<p>The command, though low, was uttered +in a tone of deadly menace, and Dorothy +saw the blue-black muzzle of an automatic +revolver pointed at her heart. She stopped +on the instant, but continued to stare +straight ahead without change of expression. +She noted that he wore a soft felt hat +pulled over his eyes and a heavy ulster with +its broad collar turned up half hiding the +lower part of his face. His high arctics +bore traces of melting snow.</p> + +<p>“Sleepwalking, eh! Well, I don’t believe +it.” His sharp eyes took in the open +door of the safe. “Snap out of that +playacting and tell me what you are doing +here!”</p> + +<p>Dorothy did not move a muscle.</p> + +<p>Without warning, he grasped her wrist +and jerked her savagely toward him. She +screamed and went limp in his arms. Lawson +clapped a hand over her mouth.</p> + +<p>“So you’re up to your old tricks again, +Martin!”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lawson, fully dressed, and wearing +a three-quarters mink coat and brown felt +cloche, appeared in the open doorway. +“So our little sleepwalker interrupted a +very pretty piece of double-crossing!” She +pointed toward the safe.</p> + +<p>Lawson flung the weeping girl into an +arm chair where she lay apparently half +stunned and shaking in every limb.</p> + +<p>“Double-cross, nothing!” he snapped at +his wife. “How do you get that way, +Laura? I came in here just now and found +Janet in the room.”</p> + +<p>“Was she at the safe?”</p> + +<p>“No, she wasn’t. She was standing in +the middle of the floor. Making her getaway +without a doubt when I turned on the +lights.”</p> + +<p>“Why do you pretend Janet opened the +safe? The Doctor, you and I are the only +ones who know the combination. Laugh +that off if you can, my dear!”</p> + +<p>They were both fast losing their tempers.</p> + +<p>“Combination or no combination, the +safe was open when I got here,” he snarled. +“She was after the formula, of course. That +father of hers is in back of it. That Irishman +is the double-crosser—and how! +Figured on working Winnite into his +racket without coughing up a cent for it, +either. Call me a sucker if you like, Laura. +I qualify, and so do you, for that matter. +The other stuff’s the bunk.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy stopped her pretended crying +and lay back as though utterly exhausted. +She knew Tunbridge must be up and +about. What in the world could the man +be doing?</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lawson who seemed to be weighing +matters, slowly unbuttoned her coat. +“If you are so blameless,” she said coldly +to her husband, “How do you happen to be +here at all? Your part of the job was to +bring up the car—or the plane, if it had +stopped snowing.”</p> + +<p>“Well, it’s no longer snowing, my dear, +and the plane is just where it should be. I +got tired of waiting, that’s why. Thought +there must be a slip-up. You were due out +there half an hour ago.”</p> + +<p>“And I would have been,” said Laura +Lawson evenly, “if that secret service fool +hadn’t been snooping outside my door.”</p> + +<p>“Tunbridge?”</p> + +<p>“Who else!”</p> + +<p>“What did you do—croak him?”</p> + +<p>“No, I didn’t. He’s not worth burning +for.”</p> + +<p>As they talked, the two dropped their +artificial cloaks of refinement as if they +had never been.</p> + +<p>“It’s hanging in this state,” sneered +Martin.</p> + +<p>“What’s the difference! I rang for him, +instead. When he knocked on the door, I +opened up and beaned him with the poker. +He’ll wake up tomorrow with a headache, +but I dragged him into my room and tied +him up, just to make sure.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy’s heart sank to the very soles of +her bare feet.</p> + +<p>“Atta girl!” cheered Lawson. “That’s +the way! And look here, Laura. Just to +prove I’m on the straight with you—go +over and frisk that kid yourself. She’s got +the paper.”</p> + +<p>“Thanks—I intended to.” Mrs. Lawson +threw a grim smile at her husband and +turned to Dorothy. “Pass it over, Janet.”</p> + +<p>“But, really, Mrs. Lawson! I don’t +know what you’re talking about—”</p> + +<p>The woman cut her short. “Stand up +and come here!”</p> + +<p>Dorothy reluctantly obeyed. “I haven’t +any paper,” she protested. “All I know is +that I woke up just now and found Mr. +Lawson—”</p> + +<p>“Hold your tongue!” snapped Mrs. +Lawson, and after exploring Dorothy’s +empty pockets, ran her fingers over the +quilted gown and the girl’s pajamas. In +the midst of her search, Professor, still +playful, bounded into the room and stood +watching them expectantly.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lawson stepped back. “She hasn’t +got it, Martin.” Her tone was acid. “What +a hard-boiled liar you are, anyway!”</p> + +<p>“Hard-boiled, if you like—but no liar.” +He strode to the safe and thrust his hand inside. +“Here it is,” he called, and held up +the paper. “I must have got here before +she could nab it.”</p> + +<p>Laura Lawson eyed him appraisingly. +“Didn’t you say Janet was in the middle of +the room when you switched on the light?”</p> + +<p>“Sure—she heard me coming, of +course.”</p> + +<p>“If Janet heard you coming, why didn’t +she swing the door shut? Don’t try to pull +that stuff on me, Martin. Even if the girl +knows the combination she couldn’t open +that safe in the dark. Why lie about the +business? I know you opened it yourself—and +what’s more, while I’ve been wasting +time arguing with you and searching +Janet, the formula was in your pocket the +whole time—that is, until you pretended to +take it out of the safe, just now!”</p> + +<p>Martin Lawson’s hard and cruel mouth +twisted into a crooked smile. “The world +is full of liars,” he said equably, “but your +husband doesn’t play that kind of a racket, +Laura—anyway, not to you.”</p> + +<p>“Then prove it by giving me that paper!” +his wife held out her hand.</p> + +<p>“Nothing doing, Sweetheart. The formula +will be perfectly safe with me.”</p> + +<p>He started to put it in an inside pocket, +when Laura Lawson sprang for the paper. +She grasped his wrist. There was a tussle +and the folded sheet fell to the floor. Professor, +seated on his haunches and very interested +in these exciting proceedings, dove +forward and snapped it up. For half a moment +he shook the paper as though he took +it for a new species of rat. Then as they +went for him, he darted between Martin’s +legs and scampered out of the room.</p> + +<p>“You big goop!” flared his wife. “Why +didn’t you pot the cur!”</p> + +<p>She rushed out of the room after Professor +while Martin stared rather stupidly at +the gun in his hand. Suddenly his eyes took +on a particularly hard glint and he swung +round on Dorothy.</p> + +<p>“This,” he rasped, “is the second time +you’ve got me in wrong with my wife, Miss +Janet Jordan. And there just ain’t going +to be no third time, kid!”</p> + +<p>“Wha—what are you going to do, Mr. +Lawson?” She was still playing the terrified, +innocent Janet, but she no longer +feared the man. During the Lawsons’ +struggle, she had prepared herself for +something like this. She had also shifted +her position and was standing near the +open door, now several yards away.</p> + +<p>“You’re going to answer my questions, +Janet—and answer them truthfully, or +you’ll do your sleepwalking in another +world after this.” He menaced her with +the automatic, “It’s the bunk, isn’t it? The +sleepwalking, I mean.”</p> + +<p>“It sure is, Mr. du Val!” drawled Dorothy +with a sweet smile.</p> + +<p>Lawson was thoroughly surprised and +looked it. “Yes—it naturally would be, +seeing you know who I really am.”</p> + +<p>“And all about you.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, you do, eh? You were awake, of +course, at the meeting?”</p> + +<p>“Not me—Janet Jordan.”</p> + +<p>“What do you mean—not you—Janet +Jordan?”</p> + +<p>“I mean that certain people have been +making fools of you and your wife, Mr. +du Val.”</p> + +<p>“Is that so! In what way, may I ask?”</p> + +<p>“Why, you see, I’m not Janet Jordan.”</p> + +<p>“Not Janet Jordan!”</p> + +<p>“I wish,” said Dorothy, “you wouldn’t +echo my words. No, I am not—most decidedly, +not Janet Jordan, although even +you have guessed by this time that I look +like her. We changed places on you, big +boy! Night before last, just before you +came into Janet’s room with her father, +Janet was climbing out the window when +you knocked the first time. It was rather +embarrassing.”</p> + +<p>“It’s going to be even more embarrassing +for you in a moment or two, Miss Not +Janet Jordan! You know too much to live. +Who in thunderation are you—a government +dick?”</p> + +<p>“That’s right, big boy. I also happen +to be Janet’s double cousin.”</p> + +<p>“You’re her double, I’ll voucher that,” +agreed du Val alias Lawson. “And all this +high-hat cockiness ain’t going to do you +one little bit of good. What’s the moniker, +kid? Make it snappy, I’m pressed for +time.”</p> + +<p>“Dorothy Dixon’s my name. And—meet +Flash!” Her right hand gave a quick +twist and Martin Lawson dropped the exploding +automatic with a scream of mingled +rage and pain. She sprang for the revolver, +covered the man and retrieved the +knife from the floor just behind him. “Sit +down over there!” She pointed to a chair. +“You’re not really hurt, you know. Flash +only skinned your knuckles. Better tie +them up in your handkerchief though. +You’re ruining the rug.”</p> + +<p>Gretchen’s blond head peered round the +door frame. “Oh, Dorothy!” she shrilled, +and rushed into the room. “Are you hurt? +Did he wound you?” She flung herself on +her friend in a frenzy of fright and hysterics.</p> + +<p>From the hall came Laura Lawson’s +voice. “Martin!” she called. “They’re +out in front of the house. They’ve got the +car! Hurry!”</p> + +<p>Lawson wasted no time. While Dorothy +struggled with the excited Gretchen, he +nipped out of the room and was gone.</p> + +<p>“That tears it!” cried Miss Dixon, freeing +herself from the little maid’s embrace, +and she dove into the passage.</p> + +<p>Under the gallery she stopped short. +There was nobody in sight, but from the +staircase came two sharp detonations of a +revolver which were answered by two more +from the dining room. Then as she moved +warily forward, Bill Bolton ran into the +hall with Ashton Sanborn close at his heels. +Dorothy saw them disappear up the stairs +and ran after them.</p> + +<p>At the top of the stairs she spied them +standing outside a bedroom door. She +hurried to join them. “Hello! Gone to +cover?”</p> + +<p>“You’re a great guesser, kid.” Bill +grinned and nodded.</p> + +<p>“Where’s Tunbridge?” asked Mr. Sanborn.</p> + +<p>Dorothy motioned toward the door. “In +there. He’s got a broken head and he’s tied +up into the bargain. Laura Lawson did +it. That’s her room.”</p> + +<p>“We’ve got to get the door down,” said +Bill, and he stepped back for a rush.</p> + +<p>“Just a sec, Bill!” Dorothy fired three +shots from Lawson’s automatic into the +lock.</p> + +<p>“Smart girl!” Ashton Sanborn opened +the door to disclose the detective-butler +bound and unconscious, lying on the floor. +Otherwise the room was empty of occupants. +“I thought as much,” muttered the +secret service man, while Dorothy ran to +Tunbridge and began to cut his bonds. +“They have beat it, all right!”</p> + +<p>“Secret passage?” This from Bill.</p> + +<p>“Yes, the walls are honeycombed with +them. But Tunbridge never learned the +secret of this room, poor fellow.”</p> + +<p>“Doctor Winn would know,” said Dorothy. +“His suite is right at the end of this +corridor. He must surely be awake with +all this racket going on.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll get him.” Mr. Sanborn was half +way to the door. “Look after Tunbridge, +you two. Better phone for a doctor.” He +was gone.</p> + +<p>Dorothy and Bill lifted the unconscious +man on to Mrs. Lawson’s bed. Then while +young Bolton undressed him, Dorothy telephoned. +She then gave Bill a hasty account +of the night’s happenings.</p> + +<p>“If Gretchen had only stayed put in her +room, I’d have caught Martin Lawson, +anyway,” she lamented.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Jordan and the bunch outside will +take care of that pair,” promised Bill. +“Fetch a wet towel from the bathroom. +This bird is breathing pretty hard.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy sped to obey, talking the while. +“Not Uncle Michael!” she called back in +astonishment.</p> + +<p>“Yep. Uncle Michael showed up in +Sanborn’s New York office this morning, +all on his own.”</p> + +<p>“What was he doing—wanting to turn +state’s evidence and peach on his pals?” +She brought in the wet towel and laid it +on Tunbridge’s hot forehead.</p> + +<p>“Nothing like that, kid.” Bill was grinning. +“Give another guess.”</p> + +<p>“Then he wasn’t really a member of that +gang with the numbers?”</p> + +<p>“Sure he was—in good standing, too.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, spill it, Bill! What do you think +I’m made of, anyway?”</p> + +<p>“Snips and snails and puppy dog’s tails,” +said Bill promptly.</p> + +<p>“Huh! The story book says ‘little boys’ +belong in that category. Come, Bill, out +with it!”</p> + +<p>“Well, then, cutie pie,—Uncle Michael +is a secret service man.”</p> + +<p>“And Ashton Sanborn didn’t know it! +Don’t talk rot, Bill!”</p> + +<p>“I’m not talking rot, Dorothy. Uncle +Michael happens to be in the British Secret +Service, that’s why!”</p> + +<p>“Ain’t that the nerts!” exploded Miss +Dixon.</p> + +<p>“You said it, kid! He got on to The +Nameless Ones—that’s what they call +themselves—over on the other side, in Europe, +you know—worked his way into their +confidence and joined up. Of course, with +his government’s sanction.”</p> + +<p>“And what were they up to?”</p> + +<p>“Out to blow up the world with Winnite, +I reckon. The Lawsons were to get +two million plunks for the formula. +Martie-boy was Number 1, by the way. +The whole thing was financed by the +Reds.”</p> + +<p>“Nice people! What’s being done +about it?”</p> + +<p>“Plenty,” returned Bill. “Mr. Jordan +brought in the goods—letters, confidential +papers of the organization, and that kind +of thing. All the ringleaders, both in this +country and abroad, have been apprehended +and jailed by this time.”</p> + +<p>“Except,” she suggested, “the du Vals, +alias Lawson.”</p> + +<p>“That’s right! Let’s go downstairs and +find out about them. Nothing more can +be done for Tunbridge until that doctor +shows up. He’s had hard luck all the way +round this evening. The Lawsons fooled +him nicely about the time—and then this +crack on the nut into the bargain!”</p> + +<p>“What do you mean—about the time?”</p> + +<p>“Why, he overheard the fair Laura telling +her hubby that they would vamoose at +two this morning, and that she would nab +the formula just before leaving. That’s +why Tunbridge specified midnight. He +thought that two hours leeway would have +been plenty of time for you.”</p> + +<p>“I ’spose they suspected him then, and +were just giving him the razz?”</p> + +<p>Bill nodded. “Q.E.D., old girl. You’re +learning, aren’t you?”</p> + +<p>Dorothy made a face at him and pushed +him out of the room. “By the way,” continued +Bill, as they entered the corridor, “I +wonder if Mrs. Lawson got the paper away +from Professor?”</p> + +<p>“She did not!” declared Dorothy. +“Look!”</p> + +<p>They paused on the stairs to view the +scene below in the entrance hall. Groups +of frightened servants whispered among +themselves and here and there a strange +man was posted, with somewhat of an air +of grim watchfulness. Crouched on the +hearth and chewing up the last shreds of +some white substance was the puppy.</p> + +<p>“The end of a perfect formula,” declared +Bill. “You’d better call the pup +Winnite. He’s full of it by this time. +Lucky you made the copy, Dorothy.”</p> + +<p>“It certainly is!” A voice spoke behind +them and they turned to see Ashton Sanborn +descending the broad stair. “Doctor +Winn tells me the passageway from +the Lawson woman’s room comes out into +the sunken gardens a quarter of a mile from +the house. And I distinctly heard the whirr +of an airplane just now from his open window. +They’ve made their getaway in fine +style by this time.”</p> + +<p>“Well—” Dorothy breathed a deep sigh. +“I can’t help being glad of it.”</p> + +<p>Bill stared at her. “Well!” he mimicked. +“I must say you have astonishing reactions!”</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter, my dear?” asked +Mr. Sanborn. “You’ve done brilliant +work on this case, and then, you know, +you’ve saved Winnite.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy was not impressed. “That’s +just it,” she retorted. “If I wasn’t a government +servant for the time being, I’d +destroy the copy of that terrible formula +myself. As it is, I’ve got to turn it over to +you!”</p> + +<p>Ashton Sanborn laid a fatherly hand on +her shoulder. “Fortunes of war, Dorothy. +Sorry, but you must, you know.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I know!” She took the sheet of +paper from her slipper and handed it to +him. “And that,” she announced grimly, +“spoils all the fun on this racket.”</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch18' class='break'>Chapter XVIII<br /><br />THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>Christmas eve was, as Dorothy had predicted, +a starry night of frost and blanketing +snow. Red candles twinkled in every +holly-wreathed window of the Dixon home, +and a large fir tree before the house +glittered with colored Christmas lights.</p> + +<p>If old Saint Nick had peeped into the +dining room windows, he would have seen +a merry company standing round the dinner +table, gay with the crimson-berried +holly and waxy mistletoe. At the head of +the table stood Dorothy, appropriately and +becomingly dressed in ruby-red velvet. On +her right there was an empty place, and +beyond it, old Doctor Winn, a boutonniere +of holly in the lapel of his dinner coat; Mr. +Bolton, Bill’s father, was next down the +table, and just beyond stood Ashton Sanborn. +Facing Dorothy at the other end, +her father chatted with a bright-eyed Gretchen, +who had Bill on her right. Next to +Bill came Doctor Winn’s ex-butler, John +Tunbridge, looking none the worse for his +part in the mixup of the fatal night. Beyond +Tunbridge stood Dorothy’s Uncle +Michael, and then another empty chair.</p> + +<p>“Just a moment, Dorothy,” said her +father as she was about to sit down. “We’ve +a surprise for you.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, are there more people coming?” +She indicated the extra places to her right +and left. “I thought our party was as nearly +complete as possible. Of course it would +have been swell if Janet and Howard could +have been with us.”</p> + +<p>“Dum—dum—de dum!” hummed Bill, +beating time with his hand like an orchestra +conductor. From the drawing room a +piano crashed into the opening chords of +Wagner’s beautiful wedding march.</p> + +<p>“Here Comes the Bride ...” sang the +guests at table, and Dorothy’s heart +skipped a beat.</p> + +<p>Through the curtained doorway, walked +a blushing girl, leaning on the arm of a tall +young man. She wore a bridal gown of +white satin, and her smiling face, below +the draped tulle veil, was the exact counterpart +of the astonished girl at the head of +the table.</p> + +<p>“Janet! Howard!” Dorothy ran to them +and was caught in her cousin’s arms. +“Where under the sun did you come from? +I thought you sailed for South America +last week!”</p> + +<p>“That,” said Howard, grinning broadly, +“is a surprise that Mr. Sanborn sprang on +us the day after we were married. He persuaded +me to give up the South American +job and got me a much better one with Mr. +Bolton.”</p> + +<p>“Meet Mr. Howard Bright, the new +manager of my Bridgeport plant,” cried +Bill’s father, and everyone clapped.</p> + +<p>“Why, that’s marvelous!” exclaimed +Dorothy. “It’s only an hour’s drive over +there from New Canaan. We’ll be able to +see a lot of each other, Janet.”</p> + +<p>Then Uncle Michael, looking very +happy and proud, kissed his daughter and +led her to the chair between his place and +Dorothy’s.</p> + +<p>“Daddy gave me the wedding dress,” +whispered Janet. “It’s a little bit late for it, +but he insisted.”</p> + +<p>“You look simply darling,” began her +cousin, then stopped. Doctor Winn, who +had pushed in her chair, was addressing the +company.</p> + +<p>“Ladies, and gentlemen,” he said, “before +we start on the Christmas cheer which +our little hostess and her father have so +graciously provided, I would like to propose +a toast or two, and may I ask you to +stand again while you drink them with +me?” He held up his glass of golden cider. +“First, let us drink long life and great +happiness to our charming bride, Mrs. +Howard Bright, and her gallant husband!”</p> + +<p>The company drank the toast enthusiastically. +Then Uncle Abe, the Dixon’s +darkey butler, better known to some of +Dorothy’s friends as “Ol’ Man River,” +grinning from one black ear to the other, +laid small leather jewel cases before Janet +and Howard.</p> + +<p>“Just a little Christmas gift, my children,” +explained Doctor Winn.</p> + +<p>“Oh, may we open them now?” asked +Janet eagerly.</p> + +<p>“You most certainly may, my dear.”</p> + +<p>They snapped open the lids and the company +leaned forward to get a better view +of the contents.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know how to thank you, Doctor +Winn,” began Howard, fingering his +handsome gold repeater and chain.</p> + +<p>“Nor I—why—my goodness! I never +thought I’d have a string of real pearls. +They are simply too exquisite for words!”</p> + +<p>Doctor Winn laughed and held up a +protesting hand. “I’m sure I’m glad you +like them, but guests are requested not to +embarrass the speaker. Now, I have another +toast to propose; and this time we +will drink a very Merry Christmas, long +life and great happiness to Miss Margaret +Schmidt, my new companion-housekeeper!”</p> + +<p>Gretchen was overwhelmed and blushed +furiously. Uncle Abe placed another +jewel case before her, which she opened +and found therein a pearl necklace, the +counterpart of Janet’s. All she could do +was to sit and gaze at it with her wide open +china-blue eyes. Mr. Dixon raised the +necklace, slipped it over the embarrassed +girl’s head, and nodded to the old gentleman.</p> + +<p>Doctor Winn took the hint and turned +the attention of the table guests to himself. +“Third and last, but not in any way the +least,” he said, “we will drink to the heroine +of the already famous case of the Double +Cousins. Ladies and gentlemen, I pledge +you Dorothy Dixon—whose bravery and +loyalty to her country gained the nation’s +thanks through its mouthpiece, our President +in Washington this week. A very +Merry Christmas, my dear, long life and +great happiness to you and to our friend +Professor, alias Winnite! By the way, +where is the pup? I have a little remembrance +for him, too.”</p> + +<p>“He’s right here beside me, asleep in his +basket, Doctor Winn.” Dorothy picked +up the yawning pup and sat him on her lap.</p> + +<p>The old gentleman took a slightly larger +morocco case out of his pocket, this time, +and laid it on the white cloth before her. +With a smile of thanks, she pressed the +spring and disclosed, lying on a velvet pad, +a double string of gleaming pink pearls. +She looked at him, speechless with pleasure, +then down again at the necklace. As +she did so, she started, for beneath the +pearls lay an envelope.</p> + +<p>She picked it up and drew forth a +paper—“Why! why, it’s my copy of the +Winnite formula!” she cried.</p> + +<p>“The only existing copy, my dear, which +I hereby present to your puppy.”</p> + +<p>“But, Doctor Winn, I don’t understand!”</p> + +<p>“My terms to the government were that +Winnite should be used for national defense +alone,” he said solemnly. “Washington +would not agree. Therefore I wish the +formula destroyed.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, what a darling you are!” Dorothy +leaned over and kissed him. “But let’s not +give it to Professor this time, please. The +last one made him horribly sick.”</p> + +<p>She held the paper over a lighted candle +and watched Winnite burn to charred ash. +“I certainly am the happiest girl in the +world tonight—but there is just one more +toast I’d like to propose before we commence +dinner. Here’s a long life and a +Merry Christmas to Mr. and Mrs. Martin +Lawson—if it hadn’t been for them, think +of all the fun we’d have missed!”</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c'> + <div class='nf-center'> + THE END + </div> +</div> + +<div class="tnotes covernote"> + <p><b>Transcriber's Note:</b></p> + <p>The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.</p> +</div> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44670 ***</div> + </body> + <!-- created with fpnh.py 1.08 on 2014-01-15 02:52:57 GMT --> +</html> diff --git a/44670-h/images/cover.jpg b/44670-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ba0955c --- /dev/null +++ b/44670-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3254f83 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #44670 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/44670) diff --git a/old/44670-0.txt b/old/44670-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..edc0990 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/44670-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5138 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Dorothy Dixon and the Double Cousin, by Dorothy Wayne + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Dorothy Dixon and the Double Cousin + +Author: Dorothy Wayne + +Release Date: January 15, 2014 [EBook #44670] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DOROTHY DIXON, DOUBLE COUSIN *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + DOROTHY DIXON + + and the Double Cousin + + BY + + Dorothy Wayne + + Author of + Dorothy Dixon Solves the Conway Case + Dorothy Dixon and The Mystery Plane + Dorothy Dixon Wins Her Wings + + THE GOLDSMITH PUBLISHING COMPANY + CHICAGO + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + Copyright, 1933 + + The Goldsmith Publishing Company + MADE IN U.S.A. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + To + Dorothea Hetty Gutmann + + a New Canaan schoolgirl, who + loves our beautiful Ridge + Country, and whose fox terrier, + Professor, really ate the dictionary! + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + CONTENTS + + I The Encounter 15 + II “Family Affairs” 27 + III The Sleepwalker 39 + IV Meet Flash! 55 + V On Secret Service 67 + VI Who’s Who? 79 + VII Playing a Part 91 + VIII “Walk Into My Parlor” 104 + IX In the Night 116 + X Surprises 127 + XI Gretchen 142 + XII Tests 156 + XIII Winnite 168 + XIV Professor 179 + XV Tea and Orders 199 + XVI Caught in the Act 212 + XVII Professor Makes Good 228 + XVIII The Christmas Spirit 246 + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + DOROTHY DIXON AND THE DOUBLE COUSIN + + Chapter I + + THE ENCOUNTER + + +“Why—good heavens, girl! How in the world did you escape?” + +Dorothy Dixon heard the low, eager whisper at her elbow but disregarded +it. She was intent on selecting a tie from the colorful rack on the +counter before her. She spoke to the clerk: + +“I’ll take this one, and that’ll make four. I hope Daddy will approve my +taste in Christmas presents,” she smiled, and laid a bill on her +purchases. + +“But—please, dear, tell me! Don’t you know I’m worried crazy? Who let +you out?” + +This time Dorothy felt a touch on her arm. She wheeled quickly to face a +tall, slender young fellow of twenty-two or three. As she stared at him, +half indignant, half wondering, she saw sincere distress in his brown +eyes, and in the lines of his pleasant face. Hat in hand, he waited +anxiously for an answer to his question, while the crowd of holiday +shoppers poured through the aisles about them. + +Dorothy’s eyes softened, then danced. “It seems to me,” she said, “that +you have the wires twisted—it’s not I who’ve escaped, but you! Run +along now and find your keeper. You’re evidently in need of one!” + +“Your change and package, miss,” the impersonal voice of the +haberdashery clerk intervened and Dorothy turned back to the counter. + +“But why on earth are you acting this way, Janet?” The strange young man +was at her elbow again. + +Once more Dorothy turned swiftly toward him but when she spoke her eyes +and voice were serious. “Do you really mean to say you think you’re +speaking to Janet Jordan? Because—” + +“My dear—what are you trying to tell me?” He broke in impatiently. “I +certainly ought to know the girl I’m going to marry!” + +Dorothy nodded slowly. “I agree with you—you ought to—but then, you +see, you _don’t_!” + +The young man crushed his soft felt hat in his hands and took a step +nearer to her. “Look here—what _is_ the matter with you? I know you’ve +been through a lot, but—” He broke off abruptly, a gleam of horror and +suspicion in his honest eyes. “Janet! What have they done to you?” + +Dorothy laid a firm hand on his arm. “Sh! Be quiet—listen to me.” Then +she added gently—“I am _not_ Janet Jordan, your fiancee.” + +“You’re not—!” + +“No. My name is Dorothy Dixon—and I’m Janet’s first cousin.” + +The young man seemed flabbergasted for a moment. Then he +stammered—“Wh-why, it’s astounding—the resemblance, I mean! You’re +alike as—as two peas. If you were twins—” + +“But you see,” she smiled, “our mothers, Janet’s and mine, _were_ twins, +and I guess that accounts for it. I’ve never seen Janet, but this is the +third time, just recently, that I’ve been taken for her by her friends, +Mr.—?” + +“My name is Bright,” he supplied. “Howard Bright. Yes, now I can see a +slight difference, Miss Dixon. You’re a bit taller and broader across +the shoulders than she is. But it’s your personalities, more than +anything else, that are altogether unlike. I hope you’ll forgive me, +Miss Dixon, for making a nuisance of myself!” + +“No indeed—that is, of course I will!” Dorothy laughed merrily. “You’re +not a nuisance, you know, but,” and her tone became grave, “I can see +that you’re in trouble. Is there—” she hesitated. + +“Not I, Miss Dixon—that is, not directly. But,” he lowered his voice, +“Janet is—is in very serious trouble. And for a moment, when I saw you, +I thought that in some miraculous way she had escaped.” + +Howard Bright’s face suddenly became almost haggard and Dorothy’s +sympathy and concern for her cousin deepened into resolve. + +“Look here, Mr. Bright,” she said abruptly, “we can’t talk here, in this +shopping crowd, it’s a regular football scrimmage. Let’s go up to the +mezzanine. A friend of mine is waiting there for me now, I’m a little +late as it is, and—” + +“But I can’t bother _you_ with this,” he protested, “and especially—” + +“Oh, come along,” she urged, “Bill is a grand guy when it comes to +getting people out of messes. I insist you tell us all about it. After +all, Janet’s my cousin, you know, and you’ll soon be a member of the +family, won’t you?” + +“There doesn’t seem much hope of that now.” Young Bright’s tone was +despondent. “But Janet certainly does need help, and she needs it +badly—so—” + +Dorothy caught his arm. “I’m going to call you Howard,” she announced +briskly. “So please drop the Miss Dixon. And come on—let’s push our way +over to the elevators.” + +The mezzanine floor of the department store was arranged as a lounge or +waiting room for customers. Comfortable arm chairs and divans invited +tired shoppers to rest. Writing desks and tables strewn with current +magazines gave the place a club-like appearance. + +Dorothy and her newly found acquaintance stepped out of the elevator and +looked about. The place seemed especially quiet after the rush and +bustle on other floors, and was almost deserted, save for two elderly +ladies conversing in low tones near a window, and a young man, who rose +at their approach. + +As the good looking youth moved toward them with the lithe, easy grace +of a trained athlete, Howard Bright saw that he had light brown hair, +and blue eyes snapping with vitality and cheerfulness. + +“Hello, Dorothy!” He greeted her smilingly, “better late than never, if +you don’t mind my saying so. I’d just about figured you were going to +pass up our date.” + +“Sorry, Colonel,” she mocked. “Explanations are in order I guess, but +they can wait. This is Howard Bright, Bill—Howard, Mr. Bolton!” + +The two young men shook hands. + +“Bolton—Dixon?” Howard’s tone was thoughtful. “Why!” he exclaimed +suddenly. “You two are the flyers—the pair who won the endurance test +with the Conway motor! I’m certainly glad to meet you both. The papers +have been full of your doings. Well, this is a surprise! But you know, +I’d got the impression that you were both older—” + +“I’m sixteen,” smiled Dorothy. “Bill has me beat by a year.” + +“How about lunch?” suggested Bill. He invariably changed the subject +when his exploits were mentioned. People always enthused so, it +embarrassed him. “You’ll join us, of course, Mr. Bright?” + +“Thanks, Mr. Bolton. I really don’t think I can butt in this way—” + +“There’s no butting in about it,” Dorothy interrupted. “Howard is +engaged to my cousin, Janet Jordan, Bill. And Janet’s in a lot of +trouble. I’ve promised we’d do everything we can to help.” + +Bill, after one look at Howard’s worried face, sized up the situation +instantly. “Why, of course,” he said. “And we can’t talk with any +privacy in this place. I can see that whatever the trouble is, it’s +serious.” + +“Janet’s in desperate peril,” Howard said huskily. + +“You said something about her escape when we met,” Dorothy reminded him. +“Has somebody kidnapped her? Have you any idea where she is?” + +“Yes, she’s a prisoner. A prisoner in the Jordans’ apartment on West +93rd Street.” + +“Then her father is away?” + +“No. He leaves tonight, I believe.” + +“But, my goodness!—a girl can’t be kidnapped and made a prisoner in her +own home. Especially if her father is there. It doesn’t sound possible.” + +“I know it doesn’t,” admitted Howard desperately, “it sounds crazy. But +it’s the truth, just the same. She’s in frightful danger.” + +Dorothy looked horrified. “You mean that my uncle and Janet don’t get on +together—that they’ve had a row and you’re afraid he will harm her?” + +“Oh, no, they’re very fond of each other.” + +“Then Uncle Michael is a prisoner, too!” + +“No, he is free enough himself, but he can do nothing—it would only +make matters worse.” + +“Well!” declared Dorothy, “I don’t think much of Uncle Michael if he +can’t protect his own daughter.” + +Bill stepped into the breach. + +“What about the police—can’t you call them in?” + +Howard Bright shook his head. “They would only bring this horrible +business to a climax,” he explained. “And that is exactly what must not +be done. It is more a matter for Secret Service investigation—but I +don’t think that even they could be of any real help.” + +Bill and Dorothy exchanged a quick glance. + +“Have you ever heard of a man named Ashton Sanborn, Mr. Bright?” + +“Yes, I have, Mr. Bolton. Wasn’t he the detective who helped you unearth +that fiendish scheme of old Professor Fanely?”[1] + +“Bull’s eye!” grinned Bill. “Only Ashton Sanborn is quite a lot more +than a mere detective. And it so happens that he is over at the Waldorf +right now, waiting for Dorothy and me to lunch with him. Let me tell +you, Bright, it’s a mighty lucky thing for Janet Jordan that he is in +town. Come along. We’ll hop a taxi and be with him in ten minutes.” + +Howard hung back. “But really—” + +Dorothy caught his arm. “Don’t be silly, now,” she urged. + +“But I can’t call in a detective, Dorothy. I know I’m rotten at +explaining, but if these devils who have Janet in their power are +interfered with they will kill her out of hand!” + +“But you spoke of the Secret Service just now. This is not for +publication, but Mr. Sanborn is the head of that branch of the +government. If anyone _can_ help Janet, he can do it.” + +“I doubt it. I admit I’m half crazy with worry, but Janet is going to be +removed from the apartment tonight, and heaven only knows what will +happen then. It takes days, generally weeks, to get the government +started on anything.” + +“Not Sanborn’s branch of it,” interrupted Bill. “We’re talking in +circles, Bright. If Sanborn can’t help Janet, he’ll tell you so. At +least you can give him the dope and find out. He’s an expert and you’ll +get expert advice.” + +“All right, I’ll go with you. But I’m afraid it won’t do any good. +Please don’t think, though, that I’m not appreciating the interest +you’re taking. I don’t mean to be a wet blanket.” + +“Of course you don’t, and you’re not.” Dorothy led toward the staircase. +“You’ll feel a whole lot better when you get the story off your chest.” + +“And when you’ve got outside a good substantial lunch,” added Bill. “I +know I shall, anyway.” + +“That,” said Dorothy, “is just like a boy. I believe you’d eat a good +meal, Bill, an hour before you were hung, if it were offered to you.” + +“I’d be hanged if I didn’t,” he laughed and followed her down the steps +onto the main floor. + +----- + +Footnote 1: + + See Bill Bolton and The Winged Cartwheels. + + + + + Chapter II + + “FAMILY AFFAIRS” + + +“Just—one—moment, please!” Ashton Sanborn’s keen blue eyes twinkled as +he surveyed his young guests. His heavy-set body moved with a muscular +grace as he placed a chair for Dorothy and motioned the two boys to +seats on a divan nearby. “Now then, Dorothy and Bill—I want you two +chatterboxes to keep quiet while I ask Mr. Bright some questions and get +this matter straight in my own head. Your turn to talk will come later.” +His quizzical smile robbed the words of any harshness, and the culprits +grinned and nodded their willingness to comply with his request. + +“Mr. Bright,” he went on, “if you’ll just answer my questions for the +present, I’ll get you to tell the story from the beginning in a few +minutes.” + +“It’s mighty decent of you to take all this interest, Mr. Sanborn.” + +The Secret Service Man shook his prematurely grey head—“It’s my +business to ferret things out. Now, as I understand it, you mistook +Dorothy for her cousin, Miss Jordan, to whom you are engaged. The +likeness must be amazing?” + +“It is, sir.” + +“Yes—well, we’ll get back to the likeness after a while. You say that +Miss Jordan is a prisoner in her father’s apartment, and is in danger of +her life?” + +“Yes, sir.” Howard, tense and taut as a fiddle string, his hands +gripping the edge of the cushioned couch, gazed steadily back at his +questioner. + +“Do you know for certain that she is in actual danger at the present +moment, Bright?” Ashton Sanborn’s quiet tone and unhurried manner of +speaking was gradually gaining the young man’s confidence. Bill and +Dorothy noticed that Howard’s strained look was beginning to disappear, +and he had started to relax. + +“She has been in great danger,” he replied, “but now, they’ve decided to +test her. There isn’t a chance, though, that she will pass the test, Mr. +Sanborn. The poor girl is so worn out and nervous she’s bound to fail.” + +“Do you know what time she is to be taken away from the apartment?” + +“Yes, sir. Lawson told her to pack her clothes today, so as to be ready +to leave at midnight.” + +“Mmm!” Sanborn glanced at his watch. “It is now one-thirty. That gives +us exactly eleven and a half hours in which to get her out of their +hands. Now just one question more, Mr. Bright. What made you say that +this is a matter in which the so-called Secret Service of the United +States should be called in, rather than the police?” + +“Well,” Howard’s brows knit in a puzzled frown, “you see, Janet is being +taken to Dr. Tyson Winn’s house near Ridgefield, Connecticut, tonight. +As I understand it, Dr. Winn has a big laboratory up there where he is +experimenting on high explosives for the government. Lawson, the man who +told Janet she was to go there, is Dr. Winn’s secretary. It all looks so +queer to me—I thought—” + +“That _is_ interesting!” Ashton Sanborn’s tone was serious and for a +little while he seemed lost in thought. Then abruptly he looked up from +an inspection of his finger tips, and rose from his chair. “I ordered +lunch for three before you young people arrived,” he said with a return +of his cheerful, hearty way of speaking. “Now I’ll phone down and have +lunch for four served up here instead.” He looked at Dorothy. “By the +way, the menu calls for oyster cocktails, sweetbreads on grilled +mushrooms, O’Brien potatoes, alligator pear salad, and cafe parfait—any +suggestions?” + +“Oh, aren’t you a dear!” Dorothy, who had been using a miniature powder +puff on her nose, snapped shut the cover of her compact. “You have +ordered all the things I like best. No wonder you’re a great +detective—you never forget a single thing, no matter what it is.” + +Sanborn laughed. “Thanks for the compliment—but those dishes happen to +be favorites of my own, too. Now get that brain of yours working, +Dorothy. When I’ve finished with the head waiter, I want you to tell us +all you know about your uncle and cousin. Before we can go further I +must have every possible detail of the case at my fingers’ ends.” + +He took up a phone from a small table near the window, and Dorothy +turned toward Howard. + +“You probably know more about the Jordans than I do,” she said. “I have +a picture of Janet that she sent me a couple of years ago. We always +exchange presents at Christmas—but we’ve never seen each other.” + +“I really know very little about the Jordans, myself,” protested Howard. +“You see, Janet and I saw each other for the first time just five weeks +ago. It was on a Sunday afternoon, I’d been taking a walk in Central +Park, when one of those equinoctial downpours came on very suddenly. +Janet was right ahead of me, so naturally, I offered her my umbrella. +She’s—well, rather shy and retiring, and at first she wasn’t so keen on +accepting—” + +“So there _is_ a difference between the cousins!” Bill winked at Howard. +“If it had been Dorothy, she’d have taken your overcoat and rubbers as +well. Nothing shy or retiring about Janet’s double!” + +“Is that so, Mr. Smarty! It’s a good thing Howard met her that rainy +Sunday. If it had been you, Bill, the poor girl would certainly have got +a soaking!” + +“You mean she wouldn’t have accepted my umbrella?” + +“I _mean_ you never would have offered it!” + +“You win—one up, Dorothy,” said Ashton Sanborn when the laughter at +this sally had subsided. “What happened after you and Janet got under +your umbrella, Bright?” + +“Oh, nothing much. We walked over to Central Park West but there were no +taxis to be had for love or money. So then I suggested taking her home +and we found we lived in the same apartment house. I asked if I might +call, but she said that was impossible—that Mr. Jordan permitted no +callers.” + +“Well,” said Dorothy, “that didn’t seem to stop you. I mean you are a +pretty fast worker, Howard, to get engaged with a tyrant father guarding +the doorstep and all that.” + +“Cut it out, Dot,” broke in Bill, who had been waiting patiently for a +chance to get even. “You can’t be in the center of the stage all the +time, and your remarks are out of order, anyway.” + +“I’ll dot you one, if you take my name in vain, young man!” + +“Silence, woman! Go ahead, Howard, and speak your piece, or she’ll jump +in with both feet next time.” + +Dorothy said nothing but the glance she shot Bill Bolton was a promise +of dire things to come. + +“Oh, I don’t mind,” grinned Howard, and Dorothy immediately put him down +as a good sport. “Well, to go on with it—we used to meet in the lobby, +go for walks and bus rides, sometimes to the movies or a matinee. Two +weeks ago, Janet, who is just eighteen, by the way, said she would marry +me. She seemed to have no friends in New York. I’ve seen her father, but +never met him. Except for this horrible business, which came up a few +days ago, all that I know about Janet is that her mother died when she +was five, her father parked her at a boarding-school near Chicago, and +she stayed there until last June when she graduated. Her summer holidays +were spent at a girls’ camp in Wisconsin. She was never allowed to visit +the homes of the other girls, so Christmas and Easter holidays she +stayed in the school. During her entire schooling, she saw her father +only five times. Last summer he took her abroad with him. They travelled +in Germany and in Russia, I believe.” + +“Gosh, what a life for a girl!” exploded Bill. + +“I should say so!” Dorothy made no attempt to hide her disgust. “The +more I hear about Uncle Michael, the less I care about him.” + +“Tell us what you do know about him,” prompted Sanborn. “I want to get +all the background possible before Bright explains the girl’s present +predicament. I know a good deal about Dr. Winn and his secretary. If +those men are threatening her, there must be something very serious +brewing. Go ahead, Dorothy—luncheon will be up here any minute, now.” + +“All right, but I warn you it isn’t much. My mother, who as you know +died when I was a little girl, had one sister, my Aunt Edith, who was +her twin. They looked so much alike that their own father and mother had +trouble in telling them apart. Aunt Edith fell in love with a young +Irishman named Michael Jordan, whom she met at a dance. He seemed +prosperous, and my grandfather gave his consent to their engagement. +Then he learned that Michael Jordan made his money by selling arms and +ammunition to South and Central American revolutionists. Grandpa, from +all accounts, hit the ceiling. He was a deacon of the church, very +sedate and all that, and he said he wouldn’t allow his daughter to marry +a gun-runner. And that was that. To make a long story short, Aunt Edith +ran away with Michael Jordan. They were married in New York, sent +Grandpa a copy of the marriage certificate, and then sailed for South +America. For several years there was no word from them at all. My +mother, whose name was Janet, by the way, loved Aunt Edith as only a +twin can love the other. But she couldn’t write to her because the +eloping couple had left no address. Six years later, mother had a letter +from Uncle Michael. He was in Chicago then, and he wrote that Aunt Edith +had died, and that he had placed little Janet at the Pence School in +Evanston. Mother and Daddy went right out to Chicago, to see Uncle +Michael. They tried to get him to let them take Janet home with them, +and bring her up with me. I was only three at the time, so naturally I +don’t remember anything about it. But what I’m telling you Daddy told to +me years later. Well, their trip to Chicago was all for nothing—Uncle +Michael refused to let them have Janet. It almost broke my mother’s +heart. Well, and that is the reason Janet and I have always given each +other presents at Christmas and on our birthdays, although we’ve never +even met. Two years ago, she sent me her photograph, and both Daddy and +I were astounded to see the resemblance to me. Twice, since then, I’ve +been taken for Janet by girls who were at school with her at Evanston. +Perhaps, if we were seen together, you’d be able to tell us apart—I +don’t know.” + +“I do, though,” declared Howard, “you may be slightly broader across the +shoulders, Dorothy, but otherwise you might be Janet, sitting there. +You’ve the same brown hair, grey eyes, your features are alike—” + +“How about our voices?” + +“Exactly the same. You have a more forceful way of speaking, that’s all. +I keep wanting to call you ‘Janet’ all the time.” Howard turned his head +away, and Dorothy could see the emotion that again overtook him as he +thought of his helpless little fiancee, a prisoner in the hands of +unscrupulous men. + +She glanced at Bill, and shook her head in sympathy. Just then there +came a knock on the sitting room door. + +“Ah! lunch at last!” Ashton Sanborn rose and put his hand on Howard’s +shoulder. “Come, no more of this now. The subject of the double cousins +is taboo until we’ve all done justice to this excellent meal!” + + + + + Chapter III + + THE SLEEPWALKER + + +“Mr. Sanborn,” said Dorothy, “when you’re tired of fathoming mysteries +for people, come out to New Canaan and help me order meals. That was the +most scrumptious lunch I’ve had in a month of Sundays.” She dropped a +lump of sugar in her demitasse and threw her host a bright smile across +the table. + +“Thank you, my dear,” the detective smiled back. “I may take you up on +that one of these days. But speaking of mysteries reminds me that now +the waiter is gone, it’s high time we busied ourselves again with the +affairs of Janet Jordan. Now that I understand something of the young +lady’s background and her family, I want to hear all there is to tell +about her present position.” He pulled a briar pipe and tobacco pouch +out of his pocket and commenced to fill the one with the contents of the +other. “All ready, Howard. Start at the beginning and don’t skimp on +details—they may be and they generally are important.” + +“Very well, sir. I’ll begin with a week ago today.” Howard pushed his +chair away from the table, thrust his hands into trouser pockets and +jumped into his story. “Janet had a date to meet me last Thursday at +two p. m. at the Strand. We intended to take in a movie—but she never +showed up.” + +“Then you aren’t a business man—?” This from the detective. + +“Oh, but I am—a mining engineer, Mr. Sanborn. With the Tuthill +Corporation. But I am free on Thursday afternoons, instead of Saturday. +It is more convenient for the office staff.” + +“Hasn’t your concern large mining concessions in Peru?” + +“It has, sir—silver mines. To make matters worse—but no—I’ll tell it +this way. I particularly wanted to meet Janet last Thursday, because I +had been told the day before by the head of our New York office that I +was to be transferred to Lima, Peru. The boat that I’m scheduled to sail +on, leaves this coming Saturday. I was fearfully pepped up about it. I’m +going down there as assistant manager of our Lima office, the job +carries a considerable increase in salary, and, if I make good, a fine +future with the firm. My plan was to get Janet to marry me, with or +without her father’s consent, and to take her to Lima with me. I +couldn’t bear to think of leaving her to the kind of existence she’d had +before I’d known her—and with no way of correspondence—Well, I waited +for over an hour in the lobby of the theatre but she didn’t come. At +last I went up to my apartment.” + +“Why didn’t you phone her?” asked Dorothy, who was nothing if not +direct. + +“Because Janet had asked me never to do that. She said if her father +knew she had a boy friend, he’d pack her off somewhere, and we’d never +be able to meet again.” + +“Nice papa—I don’t think!” observed Bill Bolton. + +“No comments now, please,” said Sanborn. “Go on, Howard. If you couldn’t +talk to Janet, how did you find out that she was a prisoner?” + +Howard smiled. “But we _were_ able to talk to each other, Mr. Sanborn. +About the time we became engaged, I fixed that. My small flat is on the +ninth floor of the building, the Jordans’ on the seventh. My three rooms +have windows on an air shaft. The Jordans’ back bedroom and bath +overlook the same airshaft and are directly opposite my sitting room, +two flights below. The shaft is only twenty feet wide, so I bought one +of those headphone sets that are used in airplanes for conversation +between the cockpits of a plane while it is being flown. I lengthened +the wires of course, and got a long, collapsible pole. After dark, Janet +would come to her window, I’d pass her headphone set down to her, hooked +on to the end of the pole, and we would hold long conversations across +the court without anybody being the wiser. When we were through talking, +I’d pass the pole over to her and draw it back when she’d attached her +headset.” + +“By Jingoes!” cried Bill. “I’ll say that’s clever!” + +“It sure is, Howard!” Dorothy was quite as enthusiastic. “You certainly +deserve to get Janet after that.” + +Howard shook his head. “We’ll have to do something really clever to get +her away from the bunch who are holding her prisoner. Well,—as I say, +when I got to my flat, I sat down by my sitting room window, and +pretended to read a book. In reality, of course, I was watching Janet’s +window. Presently she appeared. Even at that distance, I could see that +she had been crying. She held up a slate, for we never dared to use the +headphones in the day time, and slates are a good medium for short +messages. On it she had written, ‘_After dark._’ Well, that was one of +the longest afternoons I’d ever put in. About five-thirty, she came back +to her window and I passed over the headgear. When I heard her story, I +went half crazy, and I guess I’ve been pretty much that way ever since. + +“You see, Mr. Sanborn, Janet has told me that occasionally she walks in +her sleep, especially when she isn’t feeling very well. The evening +before, that was a week ago Wednesday night, she had a headache and went +to bed early. When she awoke, she was terrified to find herself seated +on the floor of their living room, behind a large Chinese screen. There +seemed to be seven or eight men in the room, including her father. Of +course, she could not see them, but she could hear every word they said. +By the clock on the wall above her head, she saw that it was one in the +morning. She soon realized that this was a meeting of the heads of some +large society or organization and that these men had come there from all +parts of the world. There was an air of mystery about them and their +talk. No names were mentioned but they addressed each other by number. +Mr. Jordan was Number 5; Number 2, who spoke with a foreign accent, was +evidently conducting the meeting, in place of the absent Number 1, whom +they all seemed to hold in great awe. Janet realized that she must have +entered the room before the meeting started, while she was still asleep. +She saw that so long as the meeting lasted, there would be no way of +escape. Gradually she became terrified at her predicament, and—” + +“Just a moment,” interrupted Ashton Sanborn. “Has Janet ever told you +anything of her father’s business?” + +“She really knows nothing about it, Mr. Sanborn. I asked her myself some +time ago, and she said then, except that he seemed to travel a lot, she +hadn’t the slightest idea what he did for a living. Once when she asked +him outright what is was, Mr. Jordan flew into a rage. He said it was +his own affair, and that so long as it brought them in enough money to +live comfortably, he did not wish her to bring up the matter again. The +one thing she does know is that he doesn’t go regularly to an office. +Men frequently come to see him at the apartment, but their conversations +are invariably held behind locked doors.” + +“I see. Go on now, with Janet and the meeting.” + +“Well, sir, as I’ve said, she was behind that screen, listening to what +the men said—and in fact, she couldn’t help listening. Not that she +understood much of what they were saying. Number 2 made a long speech +and the gist of it was that now they were agreed upon the use of Formula +X, the demonstration (whatever that was) must be made in their +respective sectors at the same time on the same day. He also proposed +that Number 5 (Janet’s father) interview Number 1 and learn from him +when the demonstrations should be made. This motion was carried +unanimously. Then Number 3 asked the chairman if they could not in +future hold their meeting in some safer place than the Jordans’ +apartment. ‘For all we know,’ he said, ‘someone may be secreted behind +that screen!’ Mr. Jordan laughed at this, and told Number 3 to close up +the screen if it made him nervous. So the first thing Janet knew, the +screen was dragged aside and she was staring into the face of a +Chinaman. Seated in a circle behind him were the others, her father +among them.” + +“Gosh!” exclaimed Dorothy. “I’ll bet that scared the poor kid silly.” + +“It did,” admitted Howard. “She was absolutely petrified. And then there +was the dickens to pay. All the men started talking at once. The +Chinaman pulled a revolver and pointed it straight at her, yelling that +she had heard their secrets and must be immediately executed!” + +“‘She has heard nothing!’ her father told them. ‘She frequently walks in +her sleep. She was asleep when she wandered in here before the meeting, +and she is sleeping now—look!’ Then he lit a match and held the flame +before Janet’s eyes. ‘You see,’ he said, ‘she doesn’t even blink. Janet +has heard nothing, gentlemen.’” + +“Of course Janet had taken her father’s hint, and followed it. She knew +that he was doing the only thing he could to save her life, so she kept +right on staring in front of her without moving, while the Chinaman held +the automatic within a foot of her head. But the strain she was under +nearly broke her nerve. She knew that the slightest sign on her part +that she was conscious would mean a bullet through her brain. A furious +argument followed. Most of the men—there were eight of them including +Mr. Jordan—wanted her put out of the way at once. But at last, her +father and Number 2, a big man with a long beard who seemed to be more +humane than the rest, prevailed upon them to let him lead her back to +her bed. Her father was forbidden to hold any intercourse with her +whatsoever. She was locked in her bedroom, afraid even to cry, for fear +she would be heard, and not knowing what moment the door would open and +they would drag her to her death.” + +“Horrible!” Mr. Sanborn’s pipe had gone out but he didn’t seem to notice +it. “That experience was enough to unhinge a person’s mind. Janet may be +shy and retiring, but she evidently doesn’t lack grit. By the way, did +she say she recognized any of the men at the meeting?” + +“No. She said that without exception she was sure she’d never seen any +of them before, although they were all on good terms with her father. +Each one seemed to be of a different nationality. One was a black man +who wore a turban—an East Indian, probably. Another, also pretty dark, +wore a red fez. The others were apparently Europeans, but as they all +spoke English together she had no way of guessing what they were. Number +2, the man with the long brown beard, she thought might be a +Scandinavian. She was sure, though, that her father was the only +American or Anglo-Saxon in the group.” + +“Tell us what happened next morning,” proposed Dorothy. Her coffee, now +cold, remained untasted in the cup. + +“I’m getting to that. At eight o’clock her door was unlocked and a +woman, a stranger to her, came into her bedroom with a breakfast tray. +She put the tray on a table and went into the bathroom and turned on the +water for Janet’s bath, then left the room and locked the door after +her. At nine this same woman came back, brought some books and magazines +to her, made up the bed and put the room straight. Whenever Janet spoke +to her, she shook her head and put her finger to her lips. But Janet +said that even now she doesn’t know whether the woman is actually dumb +or only acting under orders. She has brought and taken away her meals +ever since, but she has never been able to get her to speak.” + +“But how did she find out about going to Dr. Winn’s house?” asked Bill +Bolton, who had shown an interest quite as keen as Dorothy’s or +Sanborn’s. + +Howard Bright drank a glass of water. “I’m getting to that part now,” he +explained. “I’m not much of a story teller and I seem to be taking an +awful time to get through this one—but I’m doing my best just the +same.” + +“Of course you are!” Dorothy motioned Bill to keep quiet. “You’re doing +noble, Howard! Pay no attention to that goof over there.” + +“O.K., Dorothy.” Howard replaced his empty glass on the table. “At about +noon of the first day of Janet’s imprisonment in her room, the door was +unlocked and Mr. Lawson came in. She knew him as a friend of her +father’s who had dined with them two or three times. She had always +thought him quite a jolly sort of chap and knew that he was private +secretary to Dr. Winn, the celebrated chemist. Naturally, she felt +rather relieved to see him, and she opened up on him at once. She still +felt that her only hope for life and freedom was to pretend absolute +ignorance of the happenings of the night before. And she managed to keep +up that pretense before Lawson, though what he had to do with the affair +she hadn’t any idea, nor does she yet know where he comes into the +picture. Anyway, he wasn’t at the meeting. She let him know, though, +that she was very indignant and astonished to find herself kept a +prisoner, and demanded to see her father. Lawson, she told me, was most +affable and kind to her. He said that she of course did not realize that +she had been very ill during the night and that she was now under +doctor’s orders. He also told her that her father had been called away +on business, so he had come to her as an old friend of the family, to be +of any help that he could. Janet said that his sympathy almost +undermined her suspicion—she almost confided in him. But luckily, she +didn’t. He has been to see her every day since, and she is now convinced +that his part in this devilish scheme is to gain her confidence, and to +find out whether she actually did hear or see anything at the meeting. +Yesterday he told her that it had been decided she should visit him and +his wife at Dr. Winn’s house while her father is away, and that in order +to occupy her mind, she should act as secretary to Mrs. Lawson, who +assists Dr. Winn in his work.” + +“Maybe they don’t really mean to harm her after all,” said Dorothy +hopefully. + +“Janet is certain,” said Howard, “that they want her at the Doctor’s for +close observation. She took a secretarial course at school, so that part +of it is all right, but I believe with her that one slip, one sign that +she is deceiving them, will mean that she will simply vanish and never +be heard of again. She knows that Lawson lied about one thing: her +father is still living in their flat. She has heard his voice several +times.” + +“But what I can’t understand,” said Dorothy, “is why, just as soon as +you knew all this, you didn’t go to the nearest police station and have +that flat raided!” + +“Because, Janet won’t hear of it.” Howard’s tone was thoroughly +wretched. “I worked out some other plans to release her, but she refuses +to budge.” + +“Is the girl crazy?” This from Bill. + +“No—she’s as sane as any of us—maybe saner. She says that if the +police are called in or I help her to escape, that crew will believe her +father knew all the time that she was faking—as of course he does. And +she says she is sure they will have him killed out of hand, once they +discover that. To make matters worse, if possible, my firm thinks I’m +going to sail for Lima the day after tomorrow! If I turn them down, I’ll +lose my job here and ruin my future. I’ve been hoping against hope that +something would turn up so Janet could sail with me. I certainly shall +not sail without her. I was buying some clothes for the trip when I ran +into you this morning—” Howard’s voice trailed off hopelessly. + +“Gee!” It was evident that Dorothy was not far from tears. “You poor +dears are in an awful fix! I do wish I could help you. Do +_something_—so that you two could get married and sail for Peru!” + +“Perhaps you can.” Ashton Sanborn knocked the ashes from his pipe into +an ash tray. + +“_How?_” shouted three voices simultaneously. + + + + + Chapter IV + + MEET FLASH! + + +“Dorothy, have you ever done anything in the way of amateur +theatricals?” Ashton Sanborn stroked the bowl of his pipe reflectively. + +“Why—er—yes, a little.” She looked a bit bewildered. “I’ve been in the +Silvermine Sillies for the past two years.” + +Sanborn nodded. “How is it you’re out of school on a Thursday?” The +question seemed irrelevant. He was leaning back in his chair now, +surveying the ceiling rather absently, but there was nothing +lackadaisical about his crisp tones. + +“Christmas holidays. Why?” + +“Because, if you’re willing, I may want you to work for me for a few +days. I suppose I can reach your father by telephone at the New Canaan +bank?” + +“No, you can’t—Daddy is down in Florida on a fishing trip. He’s on Mr. +Bolton’s yacht, somewhere off the coast. They won’t be back until +Christmas Eve.” + +“That,” said the Secret Service man, “complicates matters. Who, may I +ask, is looking after Miss Dixon while Mr. Dixon is away?” + +“I’m looking after my own sweet self, sir.” Dorothy grinned roguishly. + +“Then who is to take the responsibility for your actions, young lady?” + +“Why, you may—if you want to!” + +For a moment or two the detective studied her thoughtfully. There was a +certain assurance about this girl’s manner, a steely quality that came +sometimes into her grey eyes, an indefinable air of strength and quiet +courage— + +“Do you think you could impersonate your cousin, Dorothy?” + +“Why—of course!” Dorothy showed her surprise. “We look exactly alike. +Didn’t Howard take me for Janet?” + +“He did—but from what he has told us about her, your natures are +entirely different. Janet, from all accounts, is a rather meek and +demure young lady. Remember, that in order to convince anyone who knows +her you would have to submerge your own personality in hers. And nobody +would ever describe _you_ as a meek, demure young lady!” + +“An untamed wildcat—if you ask me,” chuckled Bill. + +“Why, thanks a lot, William!” Dorothy’s hearers were abruptly aware of +the changed quality of her voice as she continued to speak in melting +tones of pained acceptance. “But nobody _did_ ask you, darling, so in +future when your betters are conversing, be good enough to button up +that lip of yours!” She finished her withering tirade in the same quiet +tones and with a positively shrinking demeanor that sent the others into +shouts of laughter. + +“Say, you’re Janet to a T!” cried Howard. “Her voice is always like that +if I happen to hurt her feelings.” + +“How about her hair, Howard? Is it long or short?” + +“Oh, she wears it bobbed like yours.” + +“I suppose,” Dorothy said to Mr. Sanborn, “that you want to smuggle me +into the flat and have me change places with her?” + +“That’s the idea exactly,” admitted the detective. “And I don’t want you +to make your decision until I explain my plan in detail—or, rather, the +necessity for the risk you will be taking.” + +“Shoot—” said Miss Dixon, “but I can tell you right now, risk or no +risk, I’m going through with it. Janet, after all she’s been through and +from what Howard has told us, is bound to flop once she gets to Dr. +Winn’s. Nervous, and probably high strung, the chances are against her +being able to hold up under the strain.” + +“I think you are right about that. But although Janet is in serious +danger, she could be rescued and her father guarded without bringing you +into the picture, Dorothy, if it were not for one thing. These men who +hold Janet in their custody are in some way mixed up with Dr. Winn, who +has undertaken to make some very important experiments for the United +States government.” + +“I make a bet that he is Number 1 of the gang!” ventured Bill, the +irrepressible. + +“Very possibly. That has yet to be discovered. But what I want you young +people to realize is that this is no ordinary gang. Quite evidently we +are up against an international organization. Their treatment of Janet +is concrete evidence of their cold-blooded ruthlessness when they +believe their plans to be in jeopardy. If you take your cousin’s place, +Dorothy, of course we will see that you are well guarded, but even so, +your part in clearing up this mystery will entail a very great element +of risk.” + +“I’m willing to take the chance.” Dorothy met his inquiring eyes +steadily. “Naturally, I’m sorry for Janet and I want to help her. The +only thing is, I’ve got to be back at High School by January fourth.” + +“I think I can promise you that this job will be cleaned up within a +week.” + +“I reckon,” smiled Bill, “that you haven’t told us all you know about +these lads with numbers instead of names.” + +“Not quite all.” Sanborn smiled back at him. “But that is neither here +nor there just now. By the way, Dorothy, how are you on shorthand and +typewriting?” + +“Oh, not so worse. It’s part of the course I’m taking at New Canaan +High.” + +“Good enough. Frankly, young lady, I would not consider using you, had +not the New Canaan Bank robbery, the affair of the Mystery Plane and the +Conway Case proved conclusively that you have a decided flair for this +kind of thing.” + +“Thank you, sir,” said Miss Dixon with mock coyness. “Them kind words is +a great comfort to a poor workin’ goil. Do I pack a gat wid me, Mister?” + +“You do not. In fact, you will take nothing except what belongs to your +cousin. If I am able to get you into the Jordan flat and they carry you +up to Ridgefield in her place, just being Janet Jordan, who never woke +up when she was sleepwalking last week will be your best protection. Of +course, I’m not deserting you. Either I or some of my men will find +means of keeping in touch with you constantly.” + +“And when the villains scrag me, the secret service boys will arrive on +the scene just in time—to identify the deceased! No thank you. If the +gun is out of orders, Flash will have to go. Of course my jiu jitsu may +help at a pinch, but Flash is more potent and ever so much quicker.” + +“What are you talking about, Dorothy?” Ashton Sanborn looked puzzled. + +“It’s a cinch you can’t drag a dog along if that’s your big idea,” +declared Bill. + +“It is not the big idea, old thing.” Dorothy grinned wickedly. “Flash +and I have got very clubby this fall. He’s really quite a dear, you +know. We travel about together a lot.” + +“The mystery of this age,” observed Bill, “is how certain females can +talk so much and say so little.” + +“Then,” said Dorothy cheerfully, “I’ll let you solve the mystery right +now. Catch!” She tossed him a macaroon from a plate on the table. “Go +over to that bedroom door,” she commanded. “Stand to one side of the +door and throw that thing into the air.” + +“But, I say, Dorothy!” interposed Ashton Sanborn. “This is no time for +fooling, we’ve got—” + +“This is not fooling, you dear old fuss-budget,” she cut in. +“It’s—well, it’s just something that may save you from worrying so much +about me. Now, Bill, are you ready?” + +“Anything to please the ladies,” retorted that young man wearily. He got +up and walked to the far end of the room and took his stand beside the +closed door. “Is Flash a cake hound? Will he jump for the cookie?” + +“He sure will—toss it in the air.” + +The small cake went spinning toward the ceiling, and at the same instant +Dorothy’s right hand disappeared under the table. With the speed of +legerdemain she brought it into view again and her arm shot out suddenly +like a signpost across the white cloth. There was a streak of silver +light—and the three male members of the quartet stared at the bedroom +door in open-mouthed wonder. Quivering in the very center of its upper +panel was a small knife, and impaled on the knife’s blade was the +macaroon. + +“Meet Flash!” said Dorothy. + +“Great suffering snakes!” exploded Bill, plucking out the blade, and +examining it. “The thing’s a throwing knife.” + +“Six inches of razor-keen, leaf-shaped blade,” said Dorothy, “and three +inches of carved ivory hilt, beautifully balanced—that’s Flash. How do +you like him, fellers?” + +“You,” declared Howard, who was still goggle-eyed with surprise, “you +are the most amazing girl I’ve ever met, Dorothy!” + +“And you don’t know the half of it,” said Bill with unstinted fervor. + +“Think I can take care of myself at a pinch, Uncle Sanborn?” Dorothy was +laughing at the expression of astonishment on the detective’s face. + +“You win, young lady.” He chuckled softly. “After this I’ll keep my +worries for Doctor Winn and his friends. Who’d have thought you had +anything like that up your sleeve!” + +“Not up my sleeve, old dear. A little leather sheath strapped just above +my left knee is where Flash came from.” + +“Regular Jesse James stuff, eh?” remarked Bill as he handed back the +knife. + +“Oh, yeah?” Flash disappeared as quickly as he’d come, and Dorothy stood +up. “What’s on the boards, now, boss?” she asked sweetly. + +“Howard—” said Ashton Sanborn, “will you let me have the key to that +apartment of yours? Thanks. Bill and I will need it this afternoon, and +even if things go according to Hoyle, we’ll be powerful busy. In the +meantime, I’ve got a job for you and Dorothy.” He took out his +pocketbook and extracting a sheaf of bills, handed them to the girl. + +“You and Howard are going to have a busy afternoon, too. See that you’re +back here in time for dinner at seven, and—” + +“But what under the sky-blue canopy is all this?” Dorothy was thumbing +the bills, counting them. “Why, I’ve never seen so much money—” + +“Use it to buy your cousin a trousseau. Have the things sent to Mrs. +Howard Bright’s apartment at this hotel. And remember, that when she +arrives here, Janet will have nothing but the clothes she is wearing. +You don’t mind doing this, do you?” + +“Mind! Why, I’ll love it!” Dorothy turned a dazzling smile on Howard, +who was simply tongue-tied by the detective’s announcement. “Isn’t he +swell, Howard? Isn’t he some guy?” + +Ashton Sanborn laughed. “Don’t thank me. Uncle Sam is paying, so you +needn’t bring back any change.” + +Dorothy thrust the money into her purse. “Don’t worry, old bean, I +won’t. So long, you two. Come on, Howard, we’re going to have a +beautiful afternoon!” She caught young Bright by the arm and whirled him +across the room to the coat-rack. She jammed a bright green beret over +her right ear and slung her leopard-cat coat onto her shoulders. “All +set for Fifth Avenue!” she called out merrily as she preceded Howard out +of the room. + + + + + Chapter V + + ON SECRET SERVICE + + +To say that Dorothy enjoyed her afternoon’s shopping would be putting it +mildly. Give any girl plenty of money and tell her to go out and buy an +entire trousseau for herself—or even for somebody else—and watch her +jump at the chance! + +Howard trailed along in more or less of a daze. This sudden change in +his outlook; being drawn from the depths of despondency to the hope of a +future with the girl he loved, and all in the space of a couple of +hours, was a little too much for him to realize at once. Ever after, he +had but a hazy recollection of that shopping tour. The afternoon seemed +but a whirling maze of lingerie, stockings, street dresses, party +frocks, coats, hats, shoes and accessories, upon which his advice was +invariably asked, and never taken. + +They were bowling hotelwards in a taxi, jammed with cardboard boxes and +packages of various shapes and sizes, before he returned to normal. + +“Whew!” he looked at Dorothy. “I should think you’d be dead!” + +She shook her head and laughed. “No girl ever gets tired of shopping,” +she told him gaily. “Wait till you’re married—you’ll find out.” + +“But what’s the idea of bringing all these things back with us? I +thought Mr. Sanborn said to have them sent.” + +“He did—but I have a better idea. This is part of it. I’ll tell you all +about it when we get to the hotel. Keep still now—I want to go over the +lists and see if I’ve forgotten anything!” + +Howard sighed in resignation. + +At the hotel desk they learned that Ashton Sanborn had not returned as +yet, but had left word that they should go to his rooms. With the +assistance of three bellboys, they piled themselves and their packages +into the elevator. + +“Gee! This looks like the night before Christmas!” Howard dropped his +hat and overcoat and stared at the boxes and bundles piled along the +wall of the sitting room. “Janet certainly will be surprised when she +sees all those things!” + +Dorothy pulled off her close-fitting little hat, and tossed it with her +purse and coat onto the table. Then she sank into an easy-chair. “Well, +I only hope she’ll approve. My, this was a strenuous afternoon. You’d +better sit down.” + +Howard followed her advice. “You said it. But I know Janet—she’ll be +crazy about the things you’ve bought.” + +“Oh, you boys are all alike.” Dorothy yawned unashamedly. + +“I don’t get you.” + +“What I mean is that as soon as a fellow goes round with a girl for a +while, he invariably says ‘Oh yes, she’ll like this,’ or, ‘she won’t +like that’.” + +“And—?” + +“Ninety-nine times out of a hundred you guess wrong.” + +“Why?” + +“I think it’s because girls like to do their own choosing. Especially +when it comes to buying clothes. Well, anyway, I think the things are +darling, and they’ll be becoming, too. At least they look well on me.” + +“Don’t worry—those clothes will make her look like a million dollars.” + +“I know they will. I’m tired, I guess.” Dorothy yawned again and closed +her eyes. + +Howard started to say something, thought better of it, yawned, and let +his head pillow itself on the soft upholstery. + +Three quarters of an hour later, Ashton Sanborn and Bill Bolton marched +into the room to find the two shoppers sound asleep in their respective +chairs. The detective coughed discreetly and both the young people +awoke. + +“I see that you’ve brought your spoils back with you,” he smiled, +pointing to the boxes and bundles. Dorothy stared at him, only half +awake, then sat upright in her chair as she realized where she was. + +“Looks to me,” said Bill, getting out of his overcoat, “as if she +thought Janet was going to start a shop of her own. Why did you cart all +the stuff back here instead of having it sent?” + +“Because, Mr. Inquisitive—well, just because. You and Howard run along +now and prepare your handsome selves for dinner. The principles of this +piece are going into conference now.” + +“My _word_—” began Bill, but at a shake of the head from Sanborn, he +took the still drowsy Howard by the arm and together they disappeared +into the bedroom. + +“Pretty tough time you’ve had, I expect?” Mr. Sanborn’s eyes twinkled, +though his tone was grave. + +“Oh, but it was lots of fun,” cried Dorothy. “Thanks to Uncle Sam, and +Uncle Sanborn! And look here, I’ve got a great idea.” + +“Which has to do with your bringing back the packages yourself?” + +“Quite right, it has. Do you think those boys can hear what we’re +saying?” + +“I doubt it, Dorothy—but Bill, as you probably guessed at the end of +the affair of the Winged Cartwheels, is a full-fledged member of my +organization and—” + +“Oh, I don’t mind Bill,” she interrupted in a low tone. “But Howard +mustn’t get wind of it. He might make a fuss.” + +She rose from her chair and going over to the detective, began to +whisper in his ear. + +“But that’s impossible, Dorothy!” he protested, although he allowed a +smile to come to his eyes. “And what’s more, my dear, I’m afraid it +would be illegal.” + +“Oh, no, it wouldn’t! Not if you—” And again she brought her lips close +to his ear. + +“You’re a young scamp!” he laughed as she ended. “But—well—you’re +doing a great deal for me, so—” + +“So you’ll go downstairs and start telephoning right away!” she prompted +eagerly. + +Ashton Sanborn held up his hands in mock despair. “Nieces,” he declared, +“should not badger hard-working old uncles. But since this niece has +been a good girl today, Uncle will do as he’s asked.” + +“I shall never call you anything else but Uncle Sanborn, now,” Dorothy +cried delightedly. + +“Thanks, my child, and I’ll do my best for you.” + +“Angel uncles can do no more,” she laughed. + +“Right-o. I’ll be on my way, then. Come along in about fifteen minutes +with Bill and Howard. I’ll arrange for a table for dinner and meet you +three in Peacock Alley.” The detective caught up his hat and hurried out +of the room. + + * * * * * + +Although Mr. Sanborn was a perfect host, and did all he could to make +that dinner entertaining, he confessed later that he would always +consider it one of the few failures of an otherwise unblemished career. + +Notwithstanding the delicious food, the charm and beauty of the huge +room with its lights and music and scores of well-dressed men and +beautifully gowned women, the dinner was not a success. All three of the +young people were too excited by thoughts of what would happen later to +do justice to the meal. Dorothy, moreover, had the added annoyance of +feeling that her tailored frock, smart enough for luncheon or shopping, +was definitely not the thing to wear at dinner in a fashionable hotel. +Each endeavored to be sprightly and at ease. But since they knew that +the one thing they wanted to talk about was forbidden in public, +conversation flagged. Upstairs at last in Mr. Sanborn’s sitting room, he +came directly to the point. + +“Now I know you’re just rearing to go,” he said. “And perhaps the sooner +we get under way, the better.” He turned to Bill. “You go ahead with +Howard,” he ordered. “Dorothy and I will follow you in about ten +minutes. Go straight to the apartment. We’ll meet you there.” + +“O and likewise K, boss,” Bill returned. “Get into your rubbers, Howard. +And don’t look so gloomy. You’re on your way to meet your best girl, +remember.” + +When they had gone, Dorothy turned at once to the detective. “How about +it, Uncle Sanborn?” she asked eagerly. + +“To quote Bill, ‘O and likewise K,’ niece.” + +“Gee, you _are_ a dear!” Dorothy clapped her hands. “And now that that +is that—I don’t care what happens.” + +“But I do, Dorothy.” Ashton Sanborn was serious. “Listen to me, young +lady. From now on you’re working for the U. S. government, under me, and +I must have my orders obeyed to the letter.” + +“Yes, sir, I understand.” Dorothy’s tone was crisp and business-like. + +“Good. I let those chaps go ahead of us as there is no need of having us +all arrive at that apartment house at the same time. This afternoon, +Bill and I made all arrangements, so that you can change places with +your cousin shortly after you arrive.” + +Dorothy felt secretly proud that this keen-eyed secret service man took +her at her word, and did not ask her again if she were really willing to +go through with it. “May I ask you a question?” + +“Certainly.” + +“Well, suppose that after you manage to get me into Janet’s room, she +refuses to leave it. Do you want me to force her?” + +“Heavens, no.” Sanborn laughed. “That has all been taken care of, +Dorothy. I talked to your cousin by means of Howard’s headphone set +shortly after dark this afternoon. I explained the whole thing to her +and when she understood that her father would be brought into no extra +danger because of our plan, and that I had drafted you into becoming a +secret service operative, she consented.” + +“I’m glad of that,” said Dorothy fervently. “She could easily have +misunderstood and spoiled everything.” + +“Well, we’ll have a lot to do to put it over, even though Janet is +willing. I persuaded her that by doing exactly what you told her, once +you arrived, she would be serving her country like a loyal American. +You, of course, will use your own judgment, when you see her. The +principal thing is to change clothes and get her out the way you came +just as soon as possible.” + +“But how am I to get into the Jordans’ apartment?” + +“Good soldiers, Dorothy, do not ask questions. There’s no secret about +it, but I’ve other things to tell you now. Lawson will probably come for +you—or for Janet, as he will believe you to be. He is a tall, slender +man, about thirty, rather good-looking, dark curly hair and a small +mustache. Your Uncle Michael, if you should run into him, is heavy set +and rather short. He has reddish hair, turning grey, and is clean +shaven. Janet has never met either Doctor Winn, or Mrs. Lawson. Now just +a word about the lady. She is a very beautiful and a very clever woman. +Be on your guard with her, continually. I believe that the principal +reason that you, or rather, Janet Jordan, will be taken to Ridgefield, +is so that you may be studied at first hand by this woman. There is no +need for me to tell you to keep up the Janet personality day and night. +Incidentally, you will have only a very short time to study your cousin, +so make the most of it. Well,” he concluded, “I guess that’s about all. +You will receive further orders within the next day or two. In the +meantime, simply carry on as Janet Jordan. I am taking a great +responsibility in letting you go, my dear. For I won’t hide the fact +that you’d probably be safer in a den of rattlesnakes than in the same +house with Mr. and Mrs. Lawson.” + +“I’m not afraid, you know,” said Dorothy simply and smiled up at him. + +“I know you’re not. But it would really be better if you were. For then +you’d be much more careful, and you must watch your step every minute +until I get you out of it. Here’s your coat. Slip into it and we’ll get +going. The sooner I get you safely into Janet’s room, and that young +lady out of it, the easier will your Uncle Sanborn feel.” + + + + + Chapter VI + + WHO’S WHO? + + +The December evening was cold and wet as Dorothy and Ashton Sanborn +crossed the sidewalk and entered their taxi-cab. The day had been a +dreary one, and now a dense, drizzling fog lay low upon the great city. +Dun-colored clouds drooped over a muddy Park Avenue as they were swept +up town. On the side streets the electrics were but misty splotches of +diffused light which threw feeble circular glimmers upon the slimy +pavements. The yellow glare from shopwindows streamed out into the +chill, vaporous air, and threw a murky, shifting radiance across the +crowded thoroughfare. To Dorothy there was something eerie and ghostlike +in the endless procession of faces which flitted across these narrow +bars of light. She was not in any respect a timid girl, but the dull, +heavy evening, and the prospect of the strange venture in which they +were engaged, combined to make her feel nervous and depressed. + +At 59th street the taxi turned west and rolled steadily along the +shining black asphalt, stopping now and then for the red lights. They +crossed 5th Avenue and swung into Central Park. Dorothy caught glimpses +of the gaunt shapes of trees in silhouette against the cold fog. She +closed her eyes and resolutely turned her thoughts to the events of the +afternoon. + +So engrossed had she become in the contemplation of her delightful +buying orgy that she was surprised when their cab pulled up with a jerk +and Ashton Sanborn opened the door. + +“Muffle up in your fur collar, Dorothy,” he said. “The fewer people who +see your face, the better.” + +Now that the ordeal had arrived, Dorothy’s nervousness vanished. She +buried the lower part of her face in the soft fur collar and walked at +Mr. Sanborn’s side into the lobby of the apartment house. + +A darkey in brass buttoned uniform stood by the elevator. Two shining +rows of white teeth flashed in a smile of greeting for the detective. + +“All the way up, George.” Mr. Sanborn gave the order as the car started +upward. + +“Yaas, suh, boss, I understand.” George smiled again, and presently the +elevator stopped. + +With Mr. Sanborn in the lead, Dorothy walked along a corridor and up a +narrow flight of stairs. The detective opened a door at the top and the +damp cold of the night swept in upon them. A moment later they were +crossing the flat roof of the apartment house toward a small group who +stood near the parapet at the roof’s edge. As they drew nearer, she saw +that the group awaiting them was composed of Bill Bolton, Howard, and a +stranger. They were standing beside a small crane. + +The secret service man nodded a greeting and turned to Dorothy. “We are +directly above Janet’s window, which is three flights below,” he said +quietly, and glanced at the luminous dial of his wrist-watch. + +“And you’re going to let me down with the auto-crane?” she asked with +just a tremor of excitement in her voice. + +“That’s the idea. It’s perfectly safe. Bill tested it this afternoon.” + +Dorothy gave a little laugh. “Oh, I’m not scared, Uncle Sanborn.” + +“I know you aren’t, my dear.” + +“When do I take off?” + +“Whenever you’re ready.” + +“All set now, then, please.” + +“Good. You’ll go in a minute. Here are last instructions. You will seat +yourself in that swinging seat that Bill is holding. The cable to which +it is attached runs through the pulley at the end of the crane’s arm. +This building is nine stories high. The Jordans’ flat is on the seventh +floor, you remember, so Janet’s window is the third one down.” He moved +to the low parapet and leaned over. “The window is dark, so everything +is O.K.,” he said, coming back to her. “Pull your seat in with you when +you enter, Dorothy, and pull down the shade, of course, when the light +is turned on. When Janet is ready, switch off the light again and have +her give a couple of pulls on this guide rope.” He placed the rope in +her hand. “Then we will hoist her up. Ready for your hop now?” + +“Yes, thanks.” + +“Good luck, then. And remember that although you may not see us, I or +some of my men will be near you all the time.” + +Dorothy shook hands with her three friends and stepped into her swinging +seat. She sat down, steadying herself with a grip on the cable. + +“All serene?” asked Bill. + +“Shove off!” said Dorothy. + +Bill motioned to the stranger, there came the low whir of an electric +motor. Her feet left the roof and she felt herself swung upward. Then +the ascent stopped, the arm of the crane swung outward and with it her +pendant seat. Her feet cleared the parapet and she was over the narrow +airshaft. + +Blurred lights from closed windows of the various apartments gave her a +glimpse of many empty ashcans in the small courtyard far below. But the +crane was lowering her now close to the wall of the building. She was +facing the wall, and looking upward she made out four heads leaning over +the parapet at the edge of the roof. + +The descent was slow, but at last she passed two windows and came to +rest beside the third, whose lower sash she saw was open. Then two arms +caught her about the knees and she was pulled into the room. + +“Dorothy—oh, Dorothy!” sobbed an excited voice so like her own that +Dorothy gave a start. + +“Well, here I am, Janet.” It was a prosaic reply, but her own heart was +beating quickly, nevertheless. “Gee, it’s dark in here! Be a dear and +shut down the window on this cable—and draw the shade, then turn on the +light. I’m busy getting out of this thing.” + +She heard the window and shade come down with a rush. As she stepped +free of her conveyance, the lights flashed on, and the cousins flew into +each other’s arms. + +“Janet!” + +“Dorothy!” + +For a long moment the girls hugged each other and Janet, the more +over-wrought, sobbed on her cousin’s shoulder. + +Dorothy was herself deeply touched, but managed to control her feelings. +“Come, dear,” she said at last. “We’ll just have to get going, I guess. +They’re waiting for you on the roof—and somebody is likely to come to +the door. We mustn’t be caught together, you know.” + +“I know it.” Janet released her and again Dorothy gasped, for she heard +her own voice speaking although the words came from Janet. + +“Look, Dorothy!” Janet pointed to a long mirror in the corner of the +room. “I knew that we were a lot alike, but I never could have +believed—” + +“Well, talk about two peas in a pod!” In the glass Dorothy saw herself +standing beside her cousin; and had it not been that she wore a coat and +hat, while Janet was dressed in a wine-colored silk frock, she would +have had difficulty in knowing which was her own reflection. “Maybe I’m +half an inch taller, or hardly that,” she said after a bit. “Lucky we +both have had our hair shingled. You wear a bang, though—but that’s +easily fixed.” + +She whipped off her small hat and went over to the dressing table where +she picked up a pair of nail scissors. Two minutes of snipping and +Janet’s bang was duplicated on her own forehead. The hair she had cut +off had been carefully placed on a magazine cover and opening the window +a trifle she dropped the ends into the night. + +“Now,” she said, closing the window. “You and I had better change +clothes, Janet. And we’ll have to make it snappy.” + +“Yes—and oh dear—” Janet was slipping off her dress—“I’ve got so much +to talk about. You can’t realize what a horrible time I’ve had—and then +to find you, only to lose you again!” Janet was very near to tears. + +“But you won’t lose me long,” Dorothy flashed her a comforting smile as +she got out of her own dress. “Meanwhile, you’ll have Howard. He’s +waiting on the roof, now. And Ashton Sanborn says he can clear up this +business in a few days.” + +“You certainly are wonderfully brave to do this for me,” sighed her +cousin. “If Mr. Sanborn hadn’t insisted that by changing places with you +I’d be really helping the government, I couldn’t allow you to do it. As +it is, I feel I’m cowardly to go through with it—” + +“Why, you’re nothing of the sort,” Dorothy protested. While Janet talked +and they both undressed, she watched her cousin’s mannerisms, storing +away in her memory, for future use, every gesture, and inflection of the +voice so like her own. + +“Who’s who?” she giggled, and now her tone was softer, an exact +duplication of Janet’s manner of speaking. + +Her cousin smiled. “In our undies,” she admitted, “even I am beginning +to wonder if I’m not seeing double and talking to myself. How about +shoes and stockings, Dorothy?” + +“Chuck ’em over, Janet, we’d better do it up right. I sp’ose most of +your things are packed in that wardrobe trunk over there?” + +“Yes. I packed it this afternoon. You’ll find some handkerchiefs and +gloves in the top bureau drawer. I left the trunk open on purpose. When +Mr. Lawson comes, you might be putting them in—it would help to make +things natural.” + +“Right you are—that’s a good idea.” + +“My arctics and my hat and coat are in the closet. Your coat is much +better looking than mine. It’s a shame to take it from you.” + +“What’s a coat between cousins who love each other?” laughed Dorothy and +put on Janet’s dress. + +A few minutes later, the change of clothing had been made, and the girls +regarded each other in awed wonder. + +“I’ll bet,” Dorothy declared, “that when Howard sees you he’ll think +I’ve come back again.” + +Janet blushed. “Well, he’ll soon find out different. But it’s a shame to +leave you here, darling. If there were _only_ some other way!” + +“But there isn’t. So cut along now, and just remember that this kind of +thing is my stuff—I love it.” + +“Some day I’ll make it up to you—if I ever can!” + +Dorothy hesitated for a moment, then smiled. “You can do it tonight, if +you want to.” + +“Why—what do you mean?” + +“Just follow any suggestions that Mr. Sanborn may make.” + +“But, what does that—you’re hiding something from me!” + +“Perhaps I am.” + +“What is it?” + +“Never mind, now.” + +“But, Dorothy—” + +“No time for that, Janet. Get into that swing arrangement with your back +to the window.” + +“All right, but kiss me goodbye, first.” + +They held each other close for a second. Then as Janet took her place on +the seat attached to the steel cable, Dorothy switched off the light. + +“I’ll—I’ll do as you ask, I mean, about Mr. Sanborn,” whispered Janet. + +“Thanks, darling, I—” began Dorothy, her hand on the window sash ready +to raise it. Then suddenly she stopped. + +Somebody was unlocking the door into the hall. + + + + + Chapter VII + + PLAYING A PART + + +Dorothy ran to the door and caught hold of the knob. “Who’s there?” she +cried. + +“It’s I—Martin Lawson, Janet. May I come in?” + +“Oh, please, Mr. Lawson, not right now.” There was a soft tone of +pleading in her voice. “You see, I’ve been lying down and I’m not quite +dressed.” + +“But I thought I heard you speaking.” + +“You did.” The real Janet, shivering by the window, caught her breath +and heard Dorothy’s tone sharpen slightly. “To myself. Being cooped up +like this for hours on end, I’m glad to hear the sound of my own voice. +I often read aloud. But I’ll be ready shortly, if you want me.” + +“All right, then. I’ll be back in five minutes. Your father is here and +he wants to say goodbye.” + +The key turned in the lock and with her ear close to the panel Dorothy +was sure she could hear the faint tread of footsteps retreating down the +hall. With her heart pumping sixty to the second, she dashed back to +Janet and carefully raised the window. + +“Heavens! that was a narrow squeak—” her cousin whispered shakily. +“What nerve you’ve got! I nearly fainted—” + +“Never mind,” Dorothy whispered back, “you’ve got to get out of +here—and right now!” + +“Oh, but I can’t, Dorothy. I’m afraid!” + +Dorothy gave the signal rope two savage pulls. Almost immediately the +cable began to tighten. “Close your eyes and hang on with both hands,” +she ordered. + +“But Dorothy—I’ll scream—I’m going to—I know it!” + +“No, you won’t!” Quickly Dorothy clasped the frightened girl’s fingers +around the taut cable. A dive into the pocket of Janet’s coat brought +forth her own handkerchief which she hurriedly crumpled into a ball and +thrust into her cousin’s mouth. The seat, with Janet in it, was rising +slowly. She caught the paralyzed girl below the knees, steadied her as +the crane drew its burden clear of the sill and pushed her carefully +into the outer darkness. When Janet’s feet were on a level with the +upper sash, she pulled down the window and shade and switched on the +light again. + +“Skies above!” Her breath came in short gasps and she leaned against the +end of the bed to steady herself. “Talk about your thrills! That was +worse than my first solo hop, by a long shot.” She ran her fingers +through her short hair. “Let’s see—what next? Oh, yes—I was supposed +to be lying down.” + +She caught up a book from the table and tossed it open onto the bed. +Then she lay down, rumpled the coverlet, made sure that the pillow +showed the impression of her head, and sprang up again. An adventurous +past had taught her the need of being thorough. + +She went to the window and raising it, looked out and upward. Neither +Janet nor the crane were in sight. Thankful that her cousin was safe at +last, she pulled down the sash. + +Two or three minutes later, when the door was unlocked, the two men who +entered surprised her in the business of packing the contents of the top +bureau drawer into Janet’s wardrobe trunk. + +And now came as pretty a piece of acting as has ever been seen upon the +stage; acting that Dorothy’s audience of two must not realize was +acting, and furthermore, one of these men was the father of the girl she +impersonated. Why hadn’t she remembered to ask Janet what she called +that mysterious father of hers? Father, Papa, Dad, Daddy—which should +she use? A mistake now would be fatal. Even her uncle must not become +aware of her real identity. There was no time for hesitating. He was +speaking now. + +“Janet, my dear—” he began. + +Dorothy ran to her uncle and throwing her arms about his neck, buried +her head on his shoulder. “How could you leave me like this?” she +wailed. “Why do you let these people keep me locked in my room? And now +they are going to take me away!” Her voice grew louder, almost +hysterical. She sobbed pathetically and clutched him a little tighter. + +“My dear child—you mustn’t cry this way—you really mustn’t!” Mr. +Jordan patted her back in the silly way men do when they want to be +comforting. “Mr. Lawson and his wife will look after you in the country, +while your Daddy is away.” + +She released the embarrassed man, and pulling a handkerchief from his +breast pocket, dabbed her eyes with the cambric until she felt certain +they looked bloodshot enough to pass inspection. “But I don’t _want_ to +go, Daddy. Please don’t let them take me,” she begged, her voice +trembling as though she was using all her will power to gain self +control. “If you can’t take me with you, why can’t I go back to school?” + +“But that’s impossible, Janet. You are going to be Mrs. Lawson’s +secretary. Don’t be foolish. All arrangements have been made.” + +“Well, I’m eighteen,” said Dorothy with a show of temper. “My mother was +a year younger than that when she ran away and married you. I am no +longer a child. I don’t like being packed off like—like a bag of +potatoes.” + +“Are there any other reasons why you don’t want to come to Ridgefield +with me?” Mr. Lawson spoke for the first time. His words fairly dripped +with suspicion. + +“Yes, there are.” Dorothy turned on him angrily. “Daddy goes off on a +trip, and for reasons which appear to be a secret, you keep me locked in +my room for more than a week, Mr. Lawson. And you seem to wonder why I +resent it.” + +“But you have been ill, my dear Janet.” + +“If I’m so ill, why has no doctor been to see me?” Her voice was full of +scorn. + +“I have been keeping you under observation myself.” + +“Quite possibly. I’ve been allowed to see nobody except that maid who +acts as if she were deaf and dumb. If you are trying to tell me that I’m +mentally deranged, I won’t stand for it! The mere fact that you now +propose that I act as your wife’s secretary proves that you consider me +capable. What right have you to keep me a prisoner in my own home? Who +are you, Mr. Martin Lawson, to take upon yourself the regulating of my +life?” Dorothy burst into angry tears. + +“But my _dear_ child—” protested Mr. Jordan. “I’ve never seen you +behave like this—” + +“No! And up to now,” she stormed, her eyes flashing, “you’ve never given +me cause. In the first place I’m no longer a child—you forget that—and +then—what kind of a life did you give me as a child? You are my father +and you say that you love me, but can you expect deep affection from a +daughter whom you ship to boarding school at five? You wouldn’t even let +me visit friends during the holidays. For years at a time you never took +the trouble to come and see me. How can you expect love and obedience +after years of neglect?” She drew a sobbing breath, then went on: “For a +while we traveled—you were nice to me—I enjoyed it. We settled down +here. I forgave what you’d done to my childhood. I tried to make this +flat a home for you, even though I was kept like a cloistered nun and +you allowed me no friends. But this is going too far.” + +“And what, may I ask, are you going to do about it?” inquired Lawson +with a disagreeable smile. + +“What can a defenseless girl without friends do to stop two big bullies? +I shall go with you, Mr. Lawson, because I can’t help myself. But don’t +expect me to like being used as a slave, even though I may be of some +comfort to that long-suffering wife of yours. Oh, that makes you angry, +does it? Well, let me tell you, that you are not half as angry as I am. +You can practice your strong-arm methods on defenseless women and get +away with it—some day you’ll try it on a man—and by the time he gets +through thrashing you there won’t be enough left for the boneyard.” She +flashed a smile of contempt on the furious man, and turned to Mr. Jordan +who was speaking again. + +“What has come over you, Janet?” he was saying. “I’ve never heard you +speak so rudely to anyone before. You’ve always been such a quiet little +mouse—” + +“And you’ve taken advantage of it,” she interrupted. “What you forget is +that even a mouse will turn and fight when it’s cornered. If you really +loved me—if you had a spark of manhood in your selfish body, you’d +thrash this man to within an inch of his life and throw him into the +street. Get out of here—both of you!” she cried hysterically. “And +please—no more silly arguments—I don’t want to be forced to say before +outsiders what a contemptible person my father is proving himself to +be.” + +This last tirade seemed to stun Mr. Jordan. From the almost agonized +expression on his face, she saw that at last conscience was at work. The +man was utterly miserable. He could not hide it. + +“Will you—will you be ready to leave in half an hour, Janet?” His voice +was a mere whisper and shook with suppressed feeling. + +“Yes, I’ll be ready. Go now, please—both of you!” She turned her back +on them and walking over to the window, she threw up the shade and the +sash. As she stood there staring into the night, she heard them leave +the room. + +This time the door shut without being locked. Dorothy streaked across +the floor and pressed her ear to the keyhole. Just outside the men were +talking. + +“You’re a fool, Lawson, if you still think that Janet wasn’t asleep +during the meeting,” she heard her uncle say. “Tonight proves it. And +let me tell you this. From now on, my business and my home shall be kept +separate and distinct. Never again will I allow myself to be placed in a +position to be dressed down by my own daughter. There was no comeback +either. Every word she said was gospel truth. It’s a terrible thing when +a daughter makes her father realize what a low, cowardly creature he is +at heart. Well, how about it? Aren’t you now convinced of her +innocence?” + +“I am.” Lawson clipped off the words, and as he went on speaking, there +was insolence as well as a hint of nervousness in his tone. “But when it +comes to giving me a thrashing, Number 5—well, I shouldn’t try it if I +were you—not if you value your—er—health!” + +“Stop talking like a fool!” retorted Janet’s father. “Is the girl to be +sent to Ridgefield or not?” + +“Now you’re talking rot, yourself,” snapped Lawson. “You know quite as +well as I do that Laura won’t take our word for it. She told me this +morning that any clever woman or girl for that matter, could twist a man +around her finger without half trying. Laura wants to study your +daughter herself—and that’s all there is to it.” + +“I hope Mrs. Lawson has a pleasant time of it.” Mr. Jordan said +sarcastically. “But I’m afraid my hope will not be granted.” + +“Laura,” answered that lady’s husband, “can be rather disagreeable +herself when she’s roused. Let us hope for Janet’s sake, that she +doesn’t try her tantrums on my wife. By the way, what are you doing +now?” + +“Getting away just as fast as I can, thank you. No more scenes for me, +tonight. I wouldn’t meet Janet on her way out of here for a million +dollars!” + +They moved further along the hall and Dorothy went slowly back to the +window. Across the narrow court, two flights up, the shaded windows of +Howard Bright’s flat shone a dull golden yellow in the black wall. For +several minutes she stood watching the windows, her thoughts upon what +she had done and what she had just heard. + +Suddenly, shadows appeared on one of the yellow rectangles. The shade +was raised and framed in the window were Janet and Howard. Just behind +them stood a stranger who wore the round, conventional collar of a +clergyman. The young couple were smiling happily. Both waved, and Janet +held up her left hand. + +Dorothy knew the significance of that gesture, and threw them a kiss. +Then she saw the shade roll down, and she turned away. + +“And so they were married and lived happily ever after.” She sighed. +“Uncle Sanborn kept his promise, like the fine old sport he is.” + +She stuffed the last of Janet’s belongings into the trunk, slammed it +shut and locked it. + +“Now for the dirty work—and Laura Lawson.” She smiled grimly and went +to the closet for Janet’s hat and coat. + + + + + Chapter VIII + + “WALK INTO MY PARLOR” + + +The sedan, with Martin Lawson driving and Dorothy beside him, purred +smoothly through the dank, cold night. Now that they were past the realm +of traffic lights, it lopped off the miles between them and Ridgefield +with the regularity of an electric saw cutting planks from a log. + +During the entire journey, now nearly over, Dorothy had spoken no word +to the man beside her. She wanted him to believe that she was still +furiously angry. As a matter of fact, she had felt antagonistic toward +him from the first moment she laid eyes upon him; his smug overgrooming, +the highly polished fingernails, the small waxed moustache and too +immaculate clothing, all repelled her. She knew at once what it had +taken Janet some time to realize: Martin Lawson might be and probably +was a very clever man; he was, on the other hand, a man to be wary of. +His manner was just a little too complacent, too smooth. Notwithstanding +the forewarning she had received regarding his character, Dorothy knew +instinctively that he was not genuine and not a trustworthy person in +any respect. She detested him thoroughly. + +He was a careful driver, she gave him credit for that. They found little +traffic to impede their progress along the Boston Post Road, once the +long tentacles of the great city were left behind. But the black swath +of highway leading out and on from their moisture-coated headlights +glistened wetly in their reflection. After they turned into the hills +behind Stamford, heading for the Connecticut Ridge Country, the road for +a mile or more at a stretch was covered with wet leaves. They crawled +along at a snail’s pace to prevent skidding and a crash into the New +England stone fences that rambled along the roadside dividing woodland +from the rolling meadows. + +Just beyond New Canaan, they drove past Dorothy’s home and Bill +Bolton’s, for the properties faced each other across the ridge road. +Before they reached Vista it was raining dismally, and Lawson had the +windshield wiper going. Dorothy was thankful that the sixty-mile journey +from New York was nearly over. At last they reached the outskirts of +Ridgefield, and the car swung into a driveway between high pillars of +native stonework. In the glow from the electric globes on the gate +posts, the blue stone driveway curved and twisted like a huge snake, +winding through landscaped lawns and gardens as formal and precise as a +public park. + +It was raining harder now, and Dorothy could see nothing beyond the path +of their headlights. Although she had never been in the grounds before, +she had driven past the Winn place numbers of times. Finally, she made +out the bulk of a great stone house. Martin Lawson stopped the car +beneath a porte-cochere. They had arrived. + +Massive doors of wrought iron and glass swung open. A butler and two +footmen in livery ran down the steps. The butler, a tall, +important-looking individual, snapped open the car door. + +“Good evening, Mr. Lawson,” he said. “Good evening, Miss.” + +The voice with its high-pitched Oxford drawl still smacked of +Whitechapel. Dorothy, who had travelled in England, was sure that under +stress, the cockney in this personage would come out. She knew he was +careful of his aitches. + +“Good evening, Tunbridge,” Lawson returned briskly, and Dorothy smiled +pleasantly. “Is Mrs. Lawson still up?” + +“Madam is awaiting you in the library, sir.” Tunbridge helped Dorothy to +alight and handed Janet’s overnight bag to a footman. “Jones,” he said +to the other flunky, as Lawson stepped out of the car, “drive round to +the service entrance. Miss Jordan’s box is in the back of the car. See +that it is taken up to the Pink Bedroom and have Hanley garage the +motor-car.” + +“Very good, sir,” returned the man, and he got into the automobile. + +Tunbridge ushered them up the broad stone steps. Dorothy caught a last +glimpse of a leafless, dripping hedge across the drive, and the giant +skeleton arms of a tree that seemed to menace earth and sky; then she +entered the house, wondering what the next act of this strange drama +would bring forth. + +She found herself in an enormous hall, furnished with objects such as +she had never seen outside a museum. Elaborately carved oak, suits of +armor, stone urns, portraits, a wide stone staircase mounting upward to +surrounding galleries, stained glass windows, tigers’ and lions’ heads, +antlers of tremendous size, strange and beautiful weapons, all ranged in +confusion before her eyes and suggested a baronial castle rather than +the home of an American scientist, in the Connecticut hills. + +Tunbridge led to a door on the right, where he knocked, then opened, as +a muffled “Come in” was heard. + +“Miss Jordan and Mr. Lawson, Madam,” announced the butler, and he stood +aside to let them pass. + +Dorothy walked into a room whose walls seemed built of books. The +furniture was richly attractive and looked luxuriously comfortable. A +fire blazed in a fine chimney and a table near it was set with a glitter +of splendid silver and hot water plates below shining metal covers. + +A tall, superbly beautiful woman, with dark eyes and coal-black hair +that grew in a widow’s peak on her brow, rose from a chair on the wide +hearth and came toward them. Her clear, white skin, and a broad streak +of silver across the black hair gave her a strangely ethereal +appearance, as though she might have been a being from another planet. +The hand she held out to Dorothy was exquisitely formed, the fingers +long and tapering. + +“How do you do, Janet,” she said pleasantly. “Welcome to Winncote. You +are later than we expected. The Doctor has gone to bed, but he left his +greetings.” + +“Thank you,” Dorothy returned formally and shook hands. “You are very +kind, Mrs. Lawson.” + +Laura Lawson gave her a smile, but the girl saw that it was a smile of +the lips alone, her dark eyes remained somber. “Did you have a +breakdown?” she asked her husband, taking notice of him for the first +time. + +“Slippery roads—it was impossible to do much more than crawl, Laura.” +He lifted a dish cover on the table and inspected its contents. “Glad +you thought to order supper—I’m famished.” + +“So am I,” admitted his wife and her words seemed to carry a double +meaning. “It’s long after three. Come over here by the fire and get +warm, Janet. Now Tunbridge—if you’ll please serve us?” + +Tunbridge seated them at the supper table and uncovered the dishes. + +“Just a light meal,” announced the hostess, “scrambled eggs, toast and +cocoa, but it will warm you up and help you last until breakfast.” + +“It looks delicious!” said Dorothy, who discovered at the sight of food +that she was starving. In fact all three were hungry, and for some +little time conversation was dropped while the soft-footed Tunbridge +waited upon them. + +“We will have a chat tomorrow, Janet,” Mrs. Lawson said presently. +“Tonight you are tired and so am I. We take breakfast in our rooms. Ring +for it when you’re ready, but don’t hurry about getting up, I’ll see you +down here about eleven-thirty. Have you had enough to eat and drink, my +dear?” + +“Plenty, thank you, Mrs. Lawson.” Dorothy thought it would be just as +well if she played the demure mouse until she had a chance to size up +her employer. + +“Then I think we’ll go upstairs, Janet, and I’ll show you your room.” +She looked at her husband. “You’ll be coming up soon, Martin?” + +“Just as soon as I finish this pipe, and get a bit warmer.” + +“I think,” said Mrs. Lawson, “that both you and Janet had better take a +hot lemonade before you go to bed. I don’t want to have you both laid up +with colds tomorrow.” She smiled solicitously at the girl. + +“I hate the filthy stuff,” protested her husband. + +“Don’t be ridiculous,” she answered coldly and turned to the butler. +“Tunbridge, have hot lemonades sent to Miss Jordan and Mr. Lawson in +about twenty minutes, if you please.” + +“Very good, madam.” + +Laura Lawson slipped her arm through Dorothy’s. “Don’t be long, Martin.” + +“I won’t. Good night, Janet.” + +“Good night, Mr. Lawson.” + +Mrs. Lawson seemed lost in thought as they slowly mounted the stone +stairs. Suddenly she began chattily: “Men are such stupid creatures, +Janet. So stupid about taking medicine or anything else that may be good +for them. Martin and that hot lemonade is a case in point. I hope that +you haven’t any foolish ideas like that?” + +“Oh, no, indeed. I’m rather fond of it.” + +“That’s fine. Now promise me you’ll get into bed and drink it just as +hot as possible. There’s nothing better to ward off a cold, and you’ll +sleep like a top into the bargain. Well, here’s your room, my dear. It’s +late, so I won’t come in, but I think you’ll find all you need to make +you comfortable. If you want anything, ring. Good night, Janet. Sleep +well.” + +“I’m sure I will, Mrs. Lawson. Good night.” + +The older woman passed along the gallery and Dorothy entered her +bedroom. It was a good-sized room, attractively furnished with +everywhere evidence of a woman’s taste. Pink-shaded electric candles +gleamed from the walls papered in cream and scattered with tiny pink +rosebuds. The small grey-painted bed displayed pink pillow cases, sheets +and blankets. A dainty writing desk in one corner of the room was also +painted grey as was the chaise longue and the chairs, where the +upholstery carried out the note of pink. A soft grey rug, pink-bordered, +covered the floor, and Dorothy’s feet sank into its thick, warm pile as +she investigated her new quarters. She saw that the room was nearly +square, and opposite the door a rounded alcove sheltered a bow window, +hung with pink taffeta, and the window seat below it was cushioned in +pink. + +In a corner against the wall stood Janet’s wardrobe trunk, and near it +was a door that led into a spacious closet. Dorothy hung her coat on a +padded hanger, and then looked into the rose and onyx tiled bath. + +As she re-entered the bedroom she stopped short in surprise. A small +piece of white paper protruded from beneath the door to the gallery. +Quickly she stooped, snatched the paper and opened the door. The gallery +was empty. Crossing to the balustrade she looked down upon the great +entrance hall. That also was deserted and nobody was to be seen on the +staircase. + +She turned back, closed and locked her door. Then she spread out the +paper she had crumpled in her hand. Printed on one side in pencil she +read the words: + +“BE ON YOUR GUARD. DO NOT DRINK THE LEMONADE. DESTROY THIS AT ONCE.” + +“Now I wonder...” Dorothy muttered softly, “who sent me this note?” + + + + + Chapter IX + + IN THE NIGHT + + +Dorothy turned over the piece of paper to find as she expected that the +other side was blank. No signature. Nothing but the double warning, and +the admonition to destroy the missive and to do so at once. Evidently +the writer either believed or knew for certain that she would shortly be +disturbed. There was no fireplace in the bedroom. Even though she tore +the note into bits, some of the scraps might be found and pieced +together should she throw them out the window; and her room might be +searched at any time. How could she make way with it? For a moment or +two Dorothy was at a loss. Mechanically her fingers tore the paper into +fine shreds. + +Then she smiled. “I guess we’ll let the plumbing take care of you,” she +said, gazing down on the little pile of paper on her palm, and she +disappeared into the bathroom. + +When she returned, Dorothy opened Janet’s over-night bag, took out a +pair of green silk pajamas, bedroom slippers and toilet accessories, +among which was a new toothbrush in a case. This, and the underwear she +had on were the only belongings of her own that she had retained. + +From Janet’s purse, she extracted the trunk key. After some rummaging in +that large travelling wardrobe, she found a quilted bathrobe of pale +pink satin on a hanger toward the back. It was too late to unpack +entirely, and she was about to close and relock the trunk, when she +decided to leave it open. The Janet Jordan she was portraying had never +waked up at the famous meeting of last week. That Janet would feel +outraged at her imprisonment, her father’s seeming callousness and would +naturally be furious at being packed up here willy-nilly: but she would +have no cause to be suspicious of these people in this big stone house. +If she had locked the trunk—Dorothy realized she had almost made a +mistake, although a minor one—and in her present position mistakes were +dangerous affairs. + +Although it was very late and the day had been a strenuous one Dorothy +did not feel tired. While she undressed, she went over in her mind the +new vistas opened up by this mysterious note she had just destroyed. As +she dissected it word by word from memory, she was astonished to find +that the scrap of paper carried much interesting information between the +lines. + +Undoubtedly, Ashton Sanborn had planted a member of his organization in +the house, but how that had been possible, she could not imagine. First +of all, there was the warning to be on her guard. That Mrs. Lawson was +indicated she had no doubt. Her hostess, while seeming most charming and +courteous, had nevertheless suggested the hot lemonade which the note +told her not to drink. It was quite likely that her unknown adviser had +reason to think that the lemonade would be drugged. And then these +people could hardly mean to poison her so soon after her arrival. For +their whole idea in bringing her to Winncote, as she understood it, was +to make sure whether the real Janet had heard their secrets or not. +No—they merely wanted her to sleep soundly. But why? + +Dorothy pondered on this for several minutes. There could be only one +reason, she decided. Somebody was planning to enter her bedroom tonight, +and wished to do so without her knowledge. What their purpose might be +she could not guess and she did not bother about it. To a girl of a +nervous temperament, such as Janet Jordan, the knowledge that such a +visit was planned and success arranged for by means of a drug, would +have been torture. But Dorothy, who could feel “Flash” in his holster +just above her knee was merely worried for fear that lemonade or no +lemonade she would fall asleep. The arrival here had been uneventful +enough after what had happened at the Jordans’ apartment. At least, to +all outward appearances it had been smooth sailing. She was beginning to +realize that nothing with these people was what it seemed to be. She had +climbed her Vesuvius and was standing at the crater’s edge. Already the +first rumblings of the eruption had been heard. + +Her position, though seemingly secure, was nothing of the kind. The +sooner Ashton Sanborn gave her the orders he had promised, and she could +carry them out and get away from this place, the better for Dorothy +Dixon. And yet she could not help a feeling of exhilaration. + +There came a gentle knock on her door. Wearing her quilted wrapper and +slippers she turned the key and opened to—the imposing Tunbridge. He +bore a small tray on which stood a steaming tumbler, a bowl of sugar, +two spoons and a napkin. “Your hot lemonade, Miss Jordan,” he announced +in his pompous voice and rather as though he were offering her a +priceless gift. “Mrs. Lawson’s instructions are to drink it after you +get in bed, Miss. May I mention also that it is very hot?” + +Dorothy took the tray. “Thank you, Tunbridge, I’ll be careful. Good +night!” + +“Good night, Miss.” + +The butler departed in the direction of the stairway, and Dorothy closed +the door and locked it again. + +She set the tray on a chair beside her bed and put two spoonfuls of +sugar into the tall glass. It was too hot for anyone to drink yet, so +she went into the bathroom to get ready for bed. + +Five minutes later she switched off all the lights except the one on the +head board. Then she got into bed, picked up the glass and stirred her +lemonade, making sure that the spoon tinkled against the glass. If +anyone was listening outside her door they would naturally think she was +drinking the stuff. + +After waiting a moment or two longer, she set the glass down on the tray +with a thump that might have been heard on the gallery. But the glass +remained in her hand. Off went her light now, and still holding the +lemonade she got quickly and quietly out of bed. A silent trip to the +bathroom in the dark and she emptied the lemonade into her washbowl. +Then she came back and placed the empty glass on the tray. She hurried +over to the bow window, opened a sash, turned off the heat in the +radiator and crawled into bed again. + +The bed was to the left of the door as one entered the room. By lying on +her right side Dorothy held the entire room within her view. After the +soft glare from the shaded electric lights, it seemed inky black, but +soon her eyes grew accustomed to the gloom. In the wall just beyond the +foot of the bed was the closed door of her closet. The trunk stood +beyond that in the corner. The alcove and window seat took up a large +section of the farther wall and in the corner, diagonally across from +where she lay was a dark spot—the writing desk. Opposite her bed was +the half open door to the bathroom. The dressing table, the door to the +hall but a few feet from her head—mentally she had completed her tour +of the room. + +Then for a long while, or so it seemed to the excited girl, she lay +there waiting. Of course her door was locked, but the affair of the +Winged Cartwheels a few months before had taught Dorothy that keys may +be turned from the outside with a pair of small pincers. Her mind now +set itself on the key in the door. In vain she listened for the warning +click that would come when it turned in the lock. Now that she was lying +in bed she began to discover how tired she was. It became harder and +harder to stay awake. + +She knew that she must have dozed, for without warning a light appeared, +a golden circle on the center of the rug. Instantly she was wide awake +and her hand beneath the blankets drew her throwing knife from its +sheath. Through half-closed eyelids she made out a dark figure holding a +flash light pointed toward the floor. + +Then the glowing circle moved to the empty glass beside her bed, and +Dorothy closed her eyes. For a moment it rested upon her face and she +heard a low chuckle. Dorothy knew that voice. Her visitor was Laura +Lawson. + +The light swept away from her face. Mrs. Lawson touched the wall switch +by the door and the bedroom sprang into light. The drug in the lemonade +must have been a strong one, for it was evident that the intruder had no +fear of her awakening. Without wasting another glance on Dorothy, Laura +Lawson went to the wardrobe trunk and commenced a detailed inspection of +its contents. + +The woman’s back was turned, so Dorothy had no difficulty in watching +her movements. Everything in the trunk was taken out, glanced at and put +back exactly as it had been. This took some time, and it was fully half +an hour before her hostess finished with the trunk. Next she overhauled +the small travelling bag and the purse. Then the empty drawers of the +dressing table and desk came under the woman’s eye. The pillows and +cushions of the window seat were lifted. The rug was turned back. Every +nook and cranny of the room and closet came under observation. Then she +went into the bathroom. + +“What under the shining canopy can she be looking for?” Dorothy +marveled. “It can’t be the note I got tonight. She proposed the lemonade +before that could have been written. I wonder if she’ll search the bed? +She mustn’t find Flash—” + +When Laura Lawson returned to the bedroom, she saw that the sleeper had +turned over and was now facing the wall. For a moment she gazed down on +the girl, then her hand crept under the pillow. Finding nothing there, +the covers were pulled back to the foot of the bed. + +Dorothy felt the cold breeze from the open window blowing on her +pajamaed body, but she did not move. Presently sheet, blankets and silk +comfort were replaced and the woman left the bedside. Dorothy chuckled +inwardly. Flash was still safe. She was lying on him. + +Off went the light. Dorothy knew that Mrs. Lawson’s slippered feet would +make no sound on the thick pile of the rug. She waited to hear the door +open and close, but heard nothing. With her face to the wall, she could +see nothing. The strain of lying motionless became nerve wracking. What +was the woman doing anyhow? Slowly she rolled over again. So far as she +could tell, the room was empty. + +For what seemed an age Dorothy lay, listening. Except for the wind +sighing through the bare trees outside her window, there was no other +sound. She felt nervous and unpleasantly excited. She must know if the +door had been left unlocked. Slipping out of bed she tiptoed across to +it and tried the handle. The door did not give. + +Suddenly she froze against the panels. A dim glow appeared on the +opposite wall as the closet door swung slowly back, and outlined in the +opening was the tall figure of Tunbridge. + + + + + Chapter X + + SURPRISES + + +Dorothy’s experiences, since she had shopped for neckties for her father +that morning had been quite enough to lay up the average girl for a +week, and to wreck her nerves into the bargain. Laura Lawson’s +appearance in her bedroom had strained tightened nerves to the breaking +point. + +The arrival of this second intruder was just too much. As the butler +stepped out of the closet and started to close the door, Dorothy’s +self-control snapped like a rubber band. She forgot that she was playing +a part; that it might be suicidal to show her hand so early in the game. +Fear gripped her throat. Had this man been sent to kill her? If not, +then what was he doing, stealing into her room through a secret entrance +like an assassin of the middle ages? Self-preservation bade her act. The +consequences could take care of themselves. + +“Stop!” The harsh whisper, as her hand dove for Flash, sounded like the +voice of a stranger. “Move another step, and I’ll pin you to that door!” +Flash was in her raised hand now, the extended blade reflecting the +light in the closet as though the polished steel were glass. + +She saw the man start in surprise and turn his head in her direction. As +she was about to hurl the knife, Tunbridge found his voice. + +“Ashton Sanborn sent me, Miss Dixon. Please don’t throw that knife.” + +Gone was the English accent, and the pompous intonation of the British +man servant. Tunbridge, if that were really his name, spoke the American +Dorothy was accustomed to hear, the accents of the cultured New +Englander. For the second time in her life, Dorothy fainted. + +She awoke to find herself in bed. Tunbridge was beside it. She could +just make out his tall, powerful figure in the darkness. + +“Goodness—did I faint?” she said weakly. + +“You certainly did, Miss Dixon.” His tone was little above a whisper. +“Please don’t raise your voice—and drink this. I found the aromatic +spirits of ammonia in the bathroom. You need something to steady you. No +one is cast iron—you’ve been through a frightful lot today.” + +Dorothy took the glass and drained it. Then she lay back on her pillow. +“I got the scare of my life just now. Why didn’t Ashton Sanborn tell me +about you, Mr.—” + +“Tunbridge is really my name, Miss Dixon. John Tunbridge, and very much +at your service. I was afraid my rather abrupt appearance would startle +you, and especially coming so soon after Mrs. Lawson’s—er—visit. I got +a shock myself when I saw your white figure by the door just now, and +all ready to split me with that knife, like—like a macaroon.” He +chuckled, and removing the tray, sat down on the chair beside her bed. + +“Oh, then you’ve seen Ashton Sanborn this evening, Mr. Tunbridge?” + +“Heard from him, Miss Dixon. As you must know by now, I am a secret +service operative and I am working under Mr. Sanborn. There isn’t time +to go into detail now, but a couple of months ago, our department +received an anonymous letter saying that Doctor Winn would bear +watching. Shortly before that the Doctor had engaged Mrs. Lawson, who is +an expert chemist by the way, to take charge of his laboratory. Her +husband has been Doctor Winn’s secretary since last spring. We thought +at that time that Mrs. Lawson might be the mysterious letter writer. +Since then we’ve altered our opinion. Mr. Sanborn decided that inasmuch +as Doctor Winn was working for the government it would be well to have a +secret service man in the house. We prevailed upon the butler here to +resign and I took his place.” + +“Then Doctor Winn knows you’re a government detective?” + +“No one in this house knows that, except you, Miss Dixon. The whole +matter was arranged through an employment agency. Doctor Winn and the +others here have no idea that I, like you, am simply playing a part.” + +“Well, you’re certainly a splendid actor, Mr. Tunbridge.” + +“Thank you, Miss Dixon. As you’ve no doubt discovered, acting, +convincing acting, often plays a large part in our profession. You are +doing brilliantly in that respect yourself. Mr. Sanborn thought, +however, that it would be better if you did not know about me until the +necessity arose. Mrs. Lawson, he knew would be watching you like a hawk +when you arrived. If you had been aware of my identity, your position +would only have been more difficult. She might have had her suspicions +aroused in some way, which would have given you a wrong start from the +beginning. I think you will realize tomorrow how hard it will be to +treat me as though I were merely Tunbridge the butler.” + +“Oh, I think you’re right. Tell me, how did you find out about the +lemonade?” + +“I overheard the Lawsons talking, yesterday. Made it my business in +fact. It seems that Mrs. Lawson has had the idea that if Janet Jordan +was only shamming sleep at that meeting, she would do her best to +communicate with her father in some way. The natural thing to do would +be to write a note and slip it in his hand or his pocket, when he came +to see her. Martin Lawson was sure he would detect anything of the kind +when he brought Jordan to say goodbye to Janet tonight at the flat. If +not, the plan was to drug the girl with hot lemonade so that Mrs. Lawson +could search her belongings for the note tonight.” + +Dorothy nodded. “I watched her closely while she was in here, and so far +as I could make out she didn’t find anything that interested her +particularly. The Lawsons must have guessed wrong about Janet writing +her father.” + +“Well, no, they didn’t,” declared her new ally. “Janet wrote a letter, +just as they surmised.” + +“But where could it be?” asked Dorothy in a startled whisper, and sat +bold upright in bed. + +“Probably destroyed by this time,” Mr. Tunbridge chuckled. “There’s no +need to worry on that score, Miss Dixon. When Ashton Sanborn spoke to +your cousin this afternoon by means of Howard Bright’s headphone set, he +learned that Janet proposed doing just what this clever pair here +figured upon. Of course she had already written the note, and as there +was no safe way to get rid of it in her room, he told her to take it +with her when she left. And now if you’ll be good enough, I wish you’d +tell me what happened after you took her place in the flat.” + +Dorothy gave him a short sketch of her encounter with her uncle and +Martin Lawson in Janet’s room, and of the conversation between the two +men in the corridor afterward. “All the way up here,” she ended, “I +pretended I had a grouch. Mr. Lawson tried to start a conversation +several times, but he soon found it wasn’t much fun talking to himself +and he gave it up as a bad job.” + +“Excellent,” applauded the secret service man, “and quite in keeping +with your behavior in the flat. You have done most remarkably well, Miss +Dixon. Only—you won’t mind if I warn you not to let first success make +you careless.” + +“Do you really believe that these people mean to do away with me if they +discover I am not what I appear to be, Mr. Tunbridge? It sounds a bit +too melodramatic, don’t you think?” + +“These Lawsons, husband and wife, are playing for gigantic stakes.” The +detective’s voice, though barely audible was extremely grave. “They will +stop at nothing. When crooks have at least two murders behind them, +they’re not likely to stop at a third.” + +“Then—then they are _not_ what they pretend?” + +“Certainly not. They’re a pair of high class European crooks named +du Val.” + +Dorothy shuddered. “And _murderers_!” + +“Undoubtedly. They’re wanted both in England and in Austria for their +crimes.” + +“How did you find that out?” + +“Oh, you see I recognized them when I arrived here, Miss Dixon.” + +“But—but I can’t see why—why you didn’t arrest them then and there! +You knew that they were after the secret of Doctor Winn’s new explosive, +or whatever it is he has invented.” + +“Yes, we realized that the formula for Doctor Winn’s explosive gas was +the magnet that drew the du Vals to this house; but until today we had +no idea how they proposed to dispose of the formula after stealing it.” + +“I see. And now you realize that they probably intend to sell it to the +organization of which my uncle is a member?” + +“You are right, Miss Dixon.” + +“Then why can’t you arrest the Lawsons now?” + +“We can take the Lawsons at any time,” Tunbridge explained. “But we want +to catch the ringleader of this organization. We know the group exists +and for no good purpose, but what their definite object may be we still +have no means of telling. We can’t arrest them on suspicion alone. Once +they actually buy the formula from the Lawsons, it will be quite a +different matter.” + +She shook her head slowly. “But why hasn’t the formula been stolen +before this? They’ve had plenty of opportunity, surely—” + +“Because it is not completed. At dinner tonight I heard the Doctor say +that by tomorrow afternoon the work would be finished, and that he +expected to take the formula to Washington the day after tomorrow.” + +“Then you expect?—” + +“I expect that the Lawsons will make their attempt tomorrow night.” + +“And where do I come in on this business, Mr. Tunbridge?” + +“You are going to take the plans from Doctor Winn’s safe before the +Lawsons get to it.” + +She drew her breath sharply. “That’s a pretty large order—” + +“I know it, but—of course you’ll have the combination of the safe—” + +“Are you going to give it to me now?” + +“Too dangerous. They are quite capable of searching your belongings +again—or your person, for that matter—at any time. I’ll get it to you +with exact instructions just as soon as the Doctor completes that +blooming formula and locks it in the safe.” + +“That’s all very well, Mr. Tunbridge. But has it occurred to you that if +I steal this paper—I suppose it will be a paper?—” + +“Probably several of them—” + +“Well, if I take these papers before the Lawsons can get them, how are +you going to arrest my uncle and the other men?” + +“You,” directed Tunbridge, “will simply make a copy and replace the +original documents where you found them. This is a safety-first move. We +must have a copy in case the originals are destroyed.” + +“It looks like a very complicated matter to me,” Dorothy admitted +candidly. “Why not put the old gentleman wise? After all, it’s his +formula, and if he made his own copy it would save us a possible run-in +with the Lawsons, and—” + +Mr. Tunbridge stood up. “Perhaps you’re right,” he said, making a brave +attempt to stifle a yawn, “but Doctor Winn would never agree to it. For +a scientist who dabbles in high explosives, he’s the most nervous man +I’ve ever met. He’d give the whole show away. No, that’s out of the +question. Doctor Winn must be kept in ignorance of the whole proceeding. +And now—” a yawn got the better of him this time— “and now to bed. You +need sleep even more than advice just now. Good night, or rather, good +morning, Miss Dixon. Pleasant dreams, I hope.” + +He started toward the door and Dorothy sprang out of bed and reached for +her dressing gown. + +“I want to see that secret passage, Mr. Tunbridge,” she said in a low +tone. + +“Oh, yes, come along.” He opened the door and stepped inside the closet. +“It works this way. Press your foot on the board in the farthest right +hand corner, like this, and a panel in the back wall slides up—like +that—” + +Dorothy stared at the gaping black hole, then as the detective-butler +snapped on his flashlight she saw that a narrow circular staircase led +downward in the wall. + +“That stair curves down to the ground floor,” he explained. “It comes +out through the side wall inside the big fireplace in the hall. To open +the panel down there you press a button under the left-hand corner of +the mantel. To close either panel you simply put it down, once you’re +inside.” + +“Are there any more of these passages in the walls?” + +“Very likely, but I haven’t found them yet. Winncote is an exact copy of +the Doctor’s ancestral home in Wales. Those old houses were honeycombed +with priest holes, secret passages and whatnot. And Doctor Winn had his +architect copy the original Winncote across the water down to the last +stone, with modern improvements such as bathrooms and steam heat, +added.” + +“Funny old fellow, isn’t he?” commented Dorothy sleepily. “Then I’m +simply to carry on until I hear from you again?” + +“That’s right. But whatever you do, watch your step with the Lawson +woman. She is fully as heartless as she is beautiful. If you had never +heard of that meeting in the Jordans’ flat, it would be much better for +you. She will try to trap you, so please be on your guard continually. +Well, good night, again.” + +“Good night, Mr. Tunbridge.” + +The panel in the back wall of the closet slid into place, and Dorothy +went back to bed. She realized now that this matter of impersonating her +cousin was not going to prove to be the easy job she had fancied. A slip +on her part now would not only put her own life in danger, it would +probably ruin all government plans to apprehend these desperate +criminals. + +At last she fell into a troubled sleep wherein she dreamed that a long +circular staircase curved round and round her bedroom, and that Mrs. +Lawson, dressed as a butler, had set her to watch every step of it. + + + + + Chapter XI + + GRETCHEN + + +Dorothy awoke from troubled dreams to find that it was another day. +Through the open window she saw the swirl of snowflakes driven in a high +wind. The bedroom was cold and in the grey light of the winter morning +it had lost its cheerful air. + +She heard a knock on the door. + +“Who’s there?” she called drowsily. + +“It’s the maid, miss. Mrs. Lawson thought you might be wanting your +breakfast now.” + +Dorothy looked at her wrist watch. The hands marked ten-thirty. She +jumped out on the rug, which felt cold and clammy under her bare feet, +went to the door and unlocked it. Then she scampered back to bed and +snuggled under the warm covers. + +In walked a trim little figure wearing the small white apron and gray +uniform of a chambermaid. Dorothy saw a round merry face, and a pair of +big blue eyes beneath the white lawn cap, and thick flaxen braids were +coiled round the neat head. She was surprised and somehow pleased to +discover that this attractive member of the household staff could not be +much more than sixteen, just her own age. + +The little maid shut the door softly, crossed to the window and closed +it, turned on the steam heat and came to the bedside. “Good morning, +Miss Jordan.” She smiled engagingly. “I’m Gretchen, miss. Will you have +your breakfast in bed?” + +“Why, thank you, Gretchen—that will be cozy. But if it’s going to give +you any trouble, don’t bother.” With the covers drawn up to her eyes, +Dorothy smiled back at the girl. + +“Oh, no, miss—it’s no trouble at all.” Gretchen was insistent. “It’s +all ready now. I’ll run down and bring it up.” + +She whisked out of the room and Dorothy rolled over for another cat-nap. + +“If you’ll be good enough to sit up now, Miss Jordan—I have your +breakfast here.” + +Dorothy awoke again, yawned and stretched luxuriously. Gretchen stood +beside her bed with the breakfast tray. + +“If you’ll be good enough to sit up, miss?” she repeated. + +Dorothy punched the pillows into position behind her, slipped the +quilted gown about her shoulders and leaned back. Gretchen moved +nearer—then almost dropped the tray. + +“Why—why—miss—” + +Dorothy leaned over and steadied the tray. “What’s the matter, +Gretchen?” The little maid was staring at her open-mouthed, her big blue +eyes as round as saucers. + +“Oh, I—I beg your pardon, but it’s—it’s the resemblance, miss—Miss +Jordan.” She set the tray over Dorothy’s knees and drew back still with +that astonished look. “I couldn’t see you very well before, miss, with +the covers up to your eyes. But when you sat up, it sure did give me a +start.” + +“What do you mean, Gretchen? The resemblance to whom?” Dorothy, +outwardly calm, fingered her glass of orange juice, but her thoughts +raced toward this new complication. + +“Why, you look so much like Dorothy Dixon—the flyer, you know, miss. +She’s my hero—I mean, heroine, Miss Jordan. I’ve read everything the +newspapers printed about her and Bill Bolton. You must have read about +them too, everybody has?” + +“Oh, yes, I’ve heard about them.” Dorothy hoped her tone sounded +indifferent. “But you know, Gretchen, newspaper pictures are often very +poor likenesses.” + +The girl smiled and nodded. “I know that, Miss Jordan. I’ve got them all +and there isn’t no two of the pictures that looks alike.” + +“Then how—?” + +“You see, it wasn’t the newspaper pictures I was thinking of, miss, but +Dorothy Dixon herself. You see I know Miss Dixon,” she went on proudly, +“and you two are certainly the spittin’ images of each other, if you +don’t mind my saying so.” + +Dorothy minded very much, but it was not consistent with the part she +was playing to admit it. Here was a contretemps not even Ashton Sanborn +had foreseen. Yet, of course, New Canaan was only ten miles away. She +had many friends in Ridgefield, and she’d been there hundreds of times. +But she simply couldn’t remember having seen Gretchen in any of their +homes. Her answer was but a feeble stall for time. + +“So you know her then?” she said lamely. + +“Oh, yes, miss. Not well, you understand. I saw her and Mr. Bill Bolton +first when they finished the endurance test on the Conway motor this +fall. Then a few days later, I drove over to her house in our +flivver—over to New Canaan, you know, and I called on Miss Dixon. I +wanted her to autograph a picture of herself I’d cut out of the Sunday +paper.” + +“And you met her?” Dorothy remembered the incident perfectly now. But +the maid’s uniform—and her hair—when she had seen her, Gretchen had +worn two braids over her shoulders, very much the schoolgirl. No wonder +she hadn’t recognized her. But now what should she do? Would it be +possible to keep up this camouflage with a girl whom she had met and +with whom she would come in daily contact? Gretchen was talking again. + +“Yes indeed, I met her. And she was just darling to me, Miss Jordan. She +even gave me one of her own photographs and wrote on it, too. You see, +us Schmidts came over from Germany about a hundred years ago, but we’re +honest-to-goodness Americans just the same. Father was in the American +army during the war. He was an aviation mechanic. He found one of them +Iron Crosses of the Germans on some battlefield in France and kept it +for a mascot. And would you believe it, miss, Father never even got +wounded once, the whole time he was over there! Perhaps it was the +little Iron Cross, and perhaps it wasn’t. Anyway, he thought a lot of +his mascot. When I was ten years old, he had it fixed on a thin gold +chain for me to wear around my neck, and gave it to me on my birthday. +Well, when I went to see Miss Dixon this fall, I took it with me. She +goes up in her airplane so much and does so many other exciting things, +I wanted her to have it. She didn’t want to take the cross at first, but +I persuaded her to, just the same. And you don’t know how nice she was +to me, Miss! Took me out to see Will-o-the-Wisp—that’s her plane, you +know—she calls it Wispy for short. And I had a perfectly grand time. +She’s my heroine, all right. And you, miss—I hope you’ll excuse me for +talking so much about it—but you look exactly like her, and your voices +are just the same, too. It’s wonderful!” + +“So you are Margaret Schmidt,” Dorothy said slowly. + +“Yes, miss, that is so, though everybody calls me Gretchen. How did you +know my given name, Miss Jordan? Is Miss Dixon a friend of yours? Did +she tell you about me? But that’s silly—she wouldn’t remember me.” + +Dorothy looked the little maid straight in the eyes. “She remembers you, +Gretchen. Would you be willing to do something for her—to keep a +secret, a very important and maybe a dangerous one? Do you think you +could do it?” + +Gretchen looked awestruck, then she smiled. “Mother says I’m the +closest-mouthed girl she ever saw, miss. They could cut me in pieces +before I ever let out any secret of Dorothy Dixon’s. I’d never tell—not +me! You can trust me, Miss Jordan.” + +“I’m sure I can, Gretchen. And I’m going to.” Dorothy slipped her hand +into the V-neck of her pajamas. “Remember this?” + +“Why—it’s—it’s my Iron Cross—that I gave Dorothy Dixon. How in the +world—?” + +“I am Dorothy Dixon.” Dorothy broke into laughter at the bewildered +expression on the girl’s face. + +“But—but I don’t understand!” Gretchen stammered as though her tongue +was half-paralyzed. “I knew the resemblance was wonderful—but—they +said you were Miss Janet Jordan—and—” + +“You sit down on the end of the bed,” said Dorothy, “I’ll go on with my +breakfast before it gets cold, and explain at the same time. We won’t be +disturbed, will we?” + +“Oh, no, miss.” + +“How about your work, Gretchen? Will you be wanted downstairs?” + +“Mr. Tunbridge told me to unpack your trunk, miss—Miss Dixon—and to +make myself generally useful.” + +“Fine,” smiled Dorothy, pouring out a cup of coffee. “But keep on +calling me Miss Jordan—otherwise you’ll be making slips in the name in +front of other people and that would be fatal.” + +“Yes, Miss Jordan,” Gretchen grinned happily. + +“After this beastly business is over,” Dorothy went on, “we’ll be +Gretchen and Dorothy to each other.” + +The other girl looked a trifle embarrassed. “But I’m only a chambermaid, +Miss Jordan,” she said shyly. + +“Don’t be silly!” Dorothy waved away the argument with a sweep of her +spoon. “You’re proving yourself a real friend—and that’s that.” + +“Very well, Miss Jordan.” + +“Now pin back your ears, Gretchen.” Dorothy lifted the cover from her +scrambled eggs. “I am taking my cousin, Janet Jordan’s place as Mrs. +Lawson’s secretary. Nobody in this house knows who I am except Mr. +Tunbridge, nor must they be given the slightest hint that I am anybody +but Janet Jordan. As you’ve probably guessed, Janet and I look almost +exactly alike. Our mothers were twins and that probably accounts for +it.” + +“Gee—” breathed Gretchen. “It’s just like a story in a book!” + +Dorothy bit into a slice of buttered toast. “Maybe it is,” she admitted, +speaking with her mouth full. “But the point is that you and I are +living this story and it may come to a very abrupt and unpleasant ending +unless we’re both terribly careful. Let’s see—where was I? Oh, yes. Mr. +Tunbridge and I are working together on this case, working for the +United States Government.” + +“Secret Service?” asked Gretchen in an awed whisper. + +“Yes.” + +“Then I’ll be working for the secret service too?” Dorothy could see +that the girl was very much impressed with the idea. + +“You will, Gretchen—that is, you are—under me. But don’t get too +pepped up about it. The work we are on is serious and it is extremely +dangerous into the bargain. I wouldn’t have brought you into it unless I +had to. Right now I haven’t the slightest notion how you are going to be +fitted into the picture. But I couldn’t have you going around, talking +about how much Janet Jordan looks like Dorothy Dixon, could I? Doctor +Winn and the Lawsons have no idea of either the resemblance or the +relationship. If that came out and they got wind of it—well, there’s no +telling what might happen.” + +“Especially,” chimed in Gretchen, “after all the detective work you did +in those three big cases over to New Canaan this summer and fall.” + +“You’ve got it,” declared Dorothy, and sipped her coffee. “A robbery is +being planned here, Gretchen, a robbery of some very valuable papers +from Doctor Winn’s safe. The thieves will probably try to pull it off +tonight. These papers, which have to do with an invention of the +Doctor’s are worth a million dollars or more to any number of people. So +you see the thieves are playing for big stakes, and I might as well tell +you that they aren’t the kind that would let a thing like murder stop +them. And now that you know the facts, are you willing to go on with +it?” + +Gretchen seemed horrified that Dorothy should doubt her. “Oh, Miss +Jordan, I don’t want to get murdered any more than anybody else—but, +I’m not afraid—honest I’m not!” + +“I knew you were true blue,” smiled Dorothy. “So we’ll call it a deal, +shall we?” + +“You bet!” The two girls solemnly shook hands. “What do you want me to +do first, Miss Jordan?” Gretchen asked eagerly. + +“Move this tray onto the chair over there, please. Then while I’m taking +a bath and dressing you might unpack Janet Jordan’s clothes. I’ll choose +something to wear later.” + +“Very good, Miss Jordan.” The little maid took the tray, then stopped +short, her round blue eyes very serious. “But what about the secret +service work?” + +“Just carry on as usual for the present.” Dorothy slipped out of bed. +“And remember—not a word to anyone about what I’ve told you—not even +Mr. Tunbridge. I don’t know myself exactly what I’m to do yet. Mrs. +Lawson expects me downstairs in about half an hour, so I’ve got to +hustle. If I need your help later on, I’ll get word to you somehow.” + +“I hope you will need me, Miss Jordan.” Gretchen was taking Janet’s +frocks from the wardrobe trunk. + +“And I hope I shan’t!” said Dorothy, and she disappeared into the +bathroom. + + + + + Chapter XII + + TESTS + + +Dorothy came down the wide staircase a few minutes before eleven-thirty. +She wore a dark blue morning frock of her cousin’s, its simplicity +relieved only by the soft white collar and deep cuffs. Except for being +rather tight across the shoulders it fitted her as though she had been +poured into it. She had selected this dress because she knew it was just +the sort of thing a new secretary would be expected to wear. + +She crossed the broad hall to the open door of the library, and there +found Mrs. Lawson standing before a window staring into the storm. +Although Dorothy’s footsteps made practically no sound on the thick pile +of the handsome Bokhara rug, the woman turned like a flash at her +entrance. + +“Oh, good morning, Janet.” The frown on her face gave way to a pleasant +smile. “I hope you were comfortable last night. Did you sleep well?” + +“I dropped off as soon as my head touched the pillow,” she answered, +taking Mrs. Lawson’s outstretched hand. Dorothy did not believe in +telling a lie unless it was in a good cause; but when necessary, she +invariably made the lie a good one. + +“I hope the storm didn’t wake you,” smiled Laura, holding Dorothy’s +hand. + +Dorothy did not reply at once. Two long fingers were lightly pressing +her wrist, and she saw that Mrs. Lawson’s eyes had strayed to the +grandfather’s clock in the corner of the room. “Test number one,” she +said to herself. “Mrs. du Val, alias Lawson is counting my pulse. Well, +I’ve got a clear conscience, perhaps I can give her a shock.” She drew +her hand away and answered the woman’s question in her normal voice. +“Oh, the storm! No, I never heard it, Mrs. Lawson. If that hot lemonade +had been drugged, I couldn’t have slept any sounder!” + +“What makes you say that?” snapped her employer, and beneath the velvet +tone, Dorothy sensed the ring of steel. + +She dropped her eyes, and turning toward the open hearth, held out her +hands to the crackling blaze. “Oh, I don’t know,” she said sweetly and +like the clever little strategist that she was, opened her own offensive +in the enemy’s territory. “I have the bad habit of occasionally walking +in my sleep, Mrs. Lawson—and especially when I spend the night in a +strange bed. Perhaps it’s nervousness—I don’t know.” + +Mrs. Lawson threw her a sharp glance. “Sit down, Janet,” she suggested, +pointing to a chair near the fire, and taking one herself across the +hearth. “You’re—I mean, you don’t seem to be at all nervous this +morning.” + +“Good old pulse!” thought Dorothy. Then aloud—“No, I feel splendidly, +thank you. But, you see, I didn’t walk in my sleep last night.” + +“But surely you can’t tell when you do it!” + +“Oh, yes, I can.” Dorothy’s manner and tone were those of the simple +schoolgirl proud of an unusual accomplishment. + +“You don’t expect me to believe that you know what you’re doing when you +walk in your sleep, Janet. That’s impossible!” + +“Not while I’m sleepwalking, Mrs. Lawson. That wasn’t what I said—but +when I have been sleepwalking—there’s a difference, you see?” + +“Well?” The lady of the house objected to being contradicted and took no +trouble to hide it. + +“It’s really very simple,” explained Dorothy, painstakingly, as though +she were speaking to a rather stupid child. “I found out how to do it. +You see, I’ve been walking in my sleep ever since I was a little thing. +When I get in bed at night I leave my slippers on the floor beside it +pointed outward—away from the bed. We all leave them that way, I guess. +It’s the natural thing to do.” + +“But what have slippers got to do with it?” Laura was becoming +impatient. + +“Everything, so far as I’m concerned, Mrs. Lawson. When I’ve been +walking at night, I always find them in the morning beside the bed, but +pointing _toward_ it. I evidently slip them off before I get back into +bed, and—” + +“I’m beginning to think you are quite a clever girl, Janet.” + +“Oh, thank you,” said Dorothy with a guilelessness that was sheer +camouflage. “Has anybody been saying I’m stupid? I’ve always stood high +in my classes at school.” + +“Oh, not stupid, child—but nervous—perhaps a little unbalanced, +especially this past week.” + +Dorothy raised her heavy lashes and looked Mrs. Lawson squarely in the +face. This might be a test she was undergoing and it probably was; but +here was a heaven sent chance to stir up discord in the enemy’s camp. +She must work up to it gradually. + +“I know that I was nervous and upset past all endurance.” She leaned +forward, her hands on the arms of the chair. “How would you like your +father to lock you in your bedroom for a week, without ever coming to +see you, or giving you any explanation for such outrageous treatment? Am +I a child to be handled like that? To be shipped up here to strangers, +whether I wanted to go or not? How would you feel about it, Mrs. Lawson, +if you were me? Don’t say you would submit to it sitting down.” + +“But I am taking you on as my secretary,” the lady hedged. “Offering you +a good position for which you’ll be paid twenty dollars a week. That’s +not to be thought of lightly, especially in these times.” + +“But it doesn’t seem to strike you that I might like to have something +to say about it,” Dorothy replied calmly. “As for the salary—that’s no +inducement. My mother left me five thousand a year. I came into the +income on my last birthday, so you see I have nearly a hundred dollars a +week, whether I work or not.” + +“I didn’t know that, of course,” Mrs. Lawson admitted and none too +graciously. “Your father wants you to be here while he’s away. I hope +you aren’t going to be difficult, Janet.” + +“I hope not, Mrs. Lawson. I shall be glad to stay here for a while and +do the work you’d planned for me; but if I do, it must be as a guest and +not as a paid dependant.” + +“But you are a guest, Janet.” + +“I shall not accept a salary, Mrs. Lawson.” + +“Very well, my dear, if you wish it that way.” + +“Thank you very much.” + +“To get back to our former topic,” Mrs. Lawson said, and lit a +cigarette. “I can understand that your father’s conduct in confining you +to your room might be exasperating—but why should it make you nervous? +And my husband tells me that when he visited you in your room you acted +as though you were in deadly fear of something or somebody every time he +saw you. What was the trouble, Janet? Was anything worrying you?” + +“Yes, there was, Mrs. Lawson.” + +Dorothy looked down at the andirons, and her hands on the chair arms +twisted embarrassedly. From the corner of her eye she saw a smile of +satisfaction light up the older woman’s face. She knew she was playing +with fire and that Mrs. Lawson was watching her as a hawk watches its +defenseless prey before it strikes. But all unknown to her inquisitor, +Dorothy had been leading her into this trap as a move forward in her own +game. Genuine dislike for the woman as well as a mischievous impulse on +her part drew her to make the scene as dramatic and convincing as +possible. + +“Yes—I—I—was afraid,” she went on, dragging out the words slowly. + +“Then don’t you think you’d better tell me about it, Janet? I’m nearly +old enough to be your mother. Let me take your mother’s place, dear. +Give me your confidence. I feel sure I’ll be able to help you, child.” + +This reference to Janet’s dead mother by a woman who was the vilest kind +of a hypocrite swept away Dorothy’s last compunction. She herself was +going to commit justifiable libel. Mrs. Lawson, on the other hand, was +attempting to lead Janet Jordan into a confession of shamming sleep at +the fateful meeting a week ago. And such a confession meant a sentence +of death from this beautiful siren who gazed at her so winningly, who +puffed a cigarette so nonchalantly while she waited for an unsuspecting +girl to commit herself. + +“Well, I don’t know—I can’t help hesitating to tell _you_, Mrs. +Lawson,” Dorothy began timidly. + +“There’s no need to be afraid of anything,” replied the woman, only half +veiling the sneer that went with the words. + +“Oh, but you see, there is, Mrs. Lawson!” Dorothy’s manner was still +indecisive. “I don’t want—in fact, I hate awfully to hurt you this +way.” + +“Hurt me!” Mrs. Lawson’s cigarette snapped into the fireplace like a +miniature comet. “Hurt me, child? What in the wide world are you talking +about?” + +“Just what I say, Mrs. Lawson.” + +Mrs. Lawson sniffed. “Don’t be ridiculous, Janet. Out with it now. What +did you fear when you were locked in your room?” + +“Your husband, Mrs. Lawson.” + +“My husband!” + +“Yes.” + +“But—why—I don’t believe you.” + +“Oh, very well. You asked the question, I was trying to answer it, +that’s all.” + +Mrs. Lawson bit her lip. She was furious. “As long as you’ve said what +you have, you’d better go on with it,” she said acidly. + +“There isn’t any more,” returned Dorothy. “That’s all there is.” + +“But surely he must have given you reasons for your assertion.” Mrs. +Lawson had walked beautifully into Dorothy’s trap. Her own plan to snare +an unsuspecting girl had been blotted out by the shadow of the Green +Goddess, Jealousy. “Tell me what my husband did or said to make you fear +him, and tell me at once.” + +“It wasn’t what he did, Mrs. Lawson—it was the way he looked.” + +“What do you mean—the way he looked?” + +Dorothy had thrust a painful knife into the mental cosmos of her +adversary. Now she deliberately turned it in the wound. “Very probably,” +she said quietly, looking her straight in the eyes, “you can remember +how Mr. Lawson looked when he first made love to you. I don’t want to be +made love to, and I don’t like _him_, Mrs. Lawson.” + +“What did you do?” + +“I told him to leave me—and when he would not go, I simply walked into +my bathroom and locked the door.” + +“But what happened the next time he came? Martin went in to see you +every day, didn’t he?” + +“He did. But he talked to me through the bathroom door. Just as soon as +I heard the key turn in the lock I’d hop in there.” + +The man she had been talking about must have been listening just outside +in the hall, for now he strode into the room and up to Dorothy. “That,” +he said menacingly, “is a deliberate lie, Miss Janet Jordan!” + + + + + Chapter XIII + + WINNITE + + +Dorothy looked up and smiled carelessly at the man. “You’re very polite, +Mr. Lawson. Perhaps it isn’t my place to say it to a man old enough to +be my father—but eavesdroppers rarely hear good of themselves.” + +Martin Lawson, who prided himself upon his youthful appearance, grew +angrier than ever. “I—I won’t stand for such outrageous libel,” he +thundered. “I’ve always treated you as though you were my own—well, +daughter, if you like.” + +“I _don’t_ like it, Mr. Lawson—but that doesn’t make any difference,” +Dorothy’s tone was one of pained acceptance. “If you listened long +enough, you will know that I didn’t bring this matter up myself. Mrs. +Lawson was asking questions and I was trying to answer them, that’s all. +If you prefer it, I’ll say that it was the wind whistling outside the +windows that made me afraid.” She looked over at Mrs. Lawson, who was +watching them through half shut eyes, as though to say, “—you +understand, of course—anything for peace.” + +Martin Lawson intercepted the glance and became even more furious, if +that were possible. “You—you little viper!” he snarled. “Laura, don’t +you believe a word of it. The whole thing’s her own invention—a pack of +lies!” + +“A silly schoolgirl fancy, if you like, Martin.” Laura Lawson’s tone was +expressionless. “But I can understand it just the same. Yes, I can +understand it.” + +“What do you mean—you understand it?” + +“I was a girl once myself,” she replied in the same colorless tone. “And +then, you see, I know you very, very well.” + +“Oh, you do, do you?” + +“He’s off again,” sighed Dorothy, but quite to herself. + +“And you have the nerve to insinuate—?” the angry man went on, beside +himself with rage. “You know as well as I do, Laura, that this girl was +afraid because of what she saw and heard at the meeting. She—” + +“That will be quite enough, Martin.” His wife interrupted him sharply. +“And what is more—you probably have not noticed that since Janet has +been here and with other people, she is very much herself—and afraid of +nothing at all.” + +“What meeting is he talking about, Mrs. Lawson?” Dorothy pointedly +ignored the angry husband. + +Mrs. Lawson stood up. “Never mind that now,” she decreed, albeit +pleasantly. “Come along with me to my office. I have some typing I’d +like you to do for me before luncheon. Martin!” She swung round on her +husband. “You will wait here for me. I’ll be back in a few minutes—I +want to talk to you.” She slipped her arm through Dorothy’s and drew her +from the room. + +Once in the entrance hall, she led her back and under the gallery to a +corridor which opened at the right of the broad stairs. Dorothy saw that +there were several doors in the right hand wall. Mrs. Lawson stopped at +the second of these and opened it. + +They walked in and Dorothy saw that they were in the office. It seemed +very businesslike and austere after coming from the luxury of the +library and spacious hall. Near the one window stood a broad table desk, +and opposite that a typewriter desk. Two steel filing cabinets and three +plain chairs completed the room’s furnishings. The walls were hung with +framed blueprints and a large-scale map of Fairfield County, +Connecticut. + +Mrs. Lawson took some papers from a drawer in the large desk and handed +them to Dorothy. “This is in longhand, as you see,” she explained, +“please type it, double space, and I’d like to have a carbon copy.” She +glanced at a small wrist-watch set with diamonds. “It is just noon now. +Luncheon is at one. Do you think you can finish the work by that time?” + +Dorothy glanced at the manuscript. “This won’t make more than four +typewritten sheets. I can do it easily in an hour and have time to +spare.” + +“Good!” The older woman patted her lightly on the shoulder. “Take your +time about it. Do you think you can read my handwriting?” + +“Nothing could be plainer, Mrs. Lawson.” Dorothy smiled back at her. + +“Very well, then. I’ll see you at lunch. The dining room is across the +hall from the library.” + +At the door, she stopped and turned as though she had just remembered +something. + +“Don’t let what my husband said bother you, Janet.” + +“That’s forgotten already,” Dorothy said easily. + +“Like most men, he flies off the handle when irritated. Pay no attention +to it.” + +“I understand.” + +Mrs. Lawson hesitated for the fraction of a second. “By the way, Janet,” +she remarked. “When was the last time you walked in your sleep—that you +found your slippers pointed toward your bed in the morning?” + +Dorothy pretended to think. “Let me see,” she said slowly. “Yes—it was +the night before Daddy locked me in my room! I found that I couldn’t get +out in the morning, and naturally, I wanted to know the reason why. I +still do, for that matter. Except for some foolishness about my being +ill, I’m still waiting for an explanation. As a matter of fact, I was +perfectly well. I’m terribly annoyed, of course, and it worries me to +think that Daddy should act this way, but so far as my health goes, I’ve +never felt better.” + +“I’m glad to hear it, dear. We’ll check up on your father when he +returns. I’m your friend, you know. Don’t let the matter prey on your +mind.” + +“Thank you, Mrs. Lawson. I’ll try to do as you say.” Dorothy thought she +was going then, but it seemed that the woman had still another question +that she had been holding back. + +“When you are in this somnambulistic state,” she said, “when you are +sleepwalking, I mean, doesn’t it terrify you to awaken and find yourself +out of your bed?” + +Dorothy frowned and seemed puzzled. “Perhaps it would,” she admitted. +“But then, you see, I can’t remember ever wakening while I was walking +during the night. I must sleep very soundly. At school the night +watchman or one of the teachers would frequently find me walking about +the building. They would lead me back to bed, or just tell me to go +there, and I would always obey. Until they told me about it next day, I +knew nothing of course. That’s how I got onto the business of the +slippers, you see.” + +“Oh, yes. I wondered how you’d been able to check on it. Well, I must +trot along now and let you get to work. Until luncheon then, my dear.” + +She was gone at last and Dorothy made a face at the closed door. “Of all +the plausible hypocrites I’ve ever met,” she muttered, “you certainly +take the well known chocolate cake!” + +She sat down at the typewriter desk, pulled out the machine, and slipped +in two sheets of paper and a carbon that she found in one of the +drawers. Halfway through a perusal of Mrs. Lawson’s first page, she +looked up. The door opened quickly and Mr. Tunbridge came into the room. + +“I’ve just a moment,” he prefaced hurriedly. “They mustn’t find me here. +What was the row in the library?” + +Dorothy explained briefly. + +“Fine! Put you through the hoops, eh? I had a good idea she would do +something of the kind. You came out of a difficult situation with flying +colors, I take it. But be careful about run-ins with Lawson. He’s a +slick article—in fact, the two of them are a pair of the slickest +articles it’s ever been my misfortune to run across. And they’re going +it hammer and tongs in the library right now. I was a bit worried about +you, that’s why I took this chance.” + +“When do I get my instructions for tonight?” + +“Late this afternoon, probably. I’ll get them to you somehow.” + +“Thanks. And here’s something else. This script I’m going to type for +Mrs. L. has to do with the properties of a highly explosive gas which +seems to burn up everything it comes in contact with and lets off fumes +of deadly poison while it’s doing that! Shall I make a copy for you?” + +“Please do!” His hand rested on the doorknob. “Yes, it’s important that +we have a copy. That’s the stuff Doctor Winn has just invented, without +a doubt.” + +“Awful!” exclaimed Dorothy. “Just think what would happen if that were +used in a war!” + +“That’s the government’s business, Miss Dixon.” + +“‘Ours but to do—and die—’” she quoted and her tone was deadly +serious. + +“Quite right. But make the carbon copy just the same—and don’t let them +catch you at it.” + +“I won’t, Mr. Tunbridge.” + +“Bye-bye, then. I’ll get along now. There may be some home truths +floating out of the library that will give me extra dope on the +du-Val—Lawson pair.” + +The door closed, and after slipping an extra carbon and a sheet of very +thin copy paper into the typewriter, Dorothy read Mrs. Lawson’s treatise +on “Winnite and Its Properties” from start to finish. + +“Horrible!” she murmured, as she finished reading. “Simply horrible!” +Again her eyes sought the last paragraph. “The effect is easily +estimated of an airplane dropping a single bomb filled with the +explosive, inflammable and deadly poison gas, Winnite, upon Manhattan +Island, for instance: the bomb would explode upon detonation and within +an inconceivably short space of time, not only would the City of Greater +New York be in flames, but every living thing within that area would be +dead from the poison fumes. This includes not only human, animal and +insect life, but all vegetable matter as well.” + +Dorothy sighed. “And I am supposed to help keep this terrible stuff from +the hands of thieves so that our government may use it in time of war. +Well—we’ll see—and that’s not that by a long shot!” + +She put down the manuscript and began to type it. + + + + + Chapter XIV + + PROFESSOR + + +Dorothy, upon finishing the article on Winnite, laid the original and +first carbon copy of the typewritten sheets on Mrs. Lawson’s desk. The +almost transparent sheets of the second carbon copy she folded carefully +as though she meant to place them in an envelope. But instead of this, +her right foot slipped out of its walking pump, the sheer silk stocking +followed it. Then she put on the stocking again, but now the soft papers +rested between the stocking and the sole of her foot. The pump fitted +more snugly than before, although not uncomfortably so. Content with her +morning’s work, she had closed the typewriter and was studying the +effect of a new shade of powder in her compact mirror when Mrs. Lawson +came into the room. + +“I take it you’ve finished the work?” + +“The original and copy are beside the longhand manuscript on your desk,” +said Dorothy, toning down her efforts with the puff. “I’ve read it over +and I don’t think you’ll find any mistakes.” + +Mrs. Lawson ran her eyes over the typewritten sheets. “They are without +a fault,” she declared, placing them in a drawer. “If you take dictation +as accurately as you type, Janet, you’ll be the perfect secretary.” + +“Thank you,” said Dorothy demurely and slipped the compact into the +pocket of her frock. “It is very nice of you to say that.” + +“Then we’ll go in to luncheon, shall we? That is, if you’re ready?” + +Dorothy stood up. “Quite ready, Mrs. Lawson, and good and hungry, too.” + +“Splendid!” enthused her hostess, as they walked down the corridor +toward the entrance hall. “Doctor Winn declares this Connecticut Ridge +country is the most healthful section of the United States. And even if +some people have other ideas on the subject, I can testify that it is a +great appetite builder.” + +Dorothy smiled, but said nothing. She was wondering how healthful she +was going to find this particular spot in the Ridge country after what +she had to do tonight. + +“Doctor Winn always lunches in his study,” continued Mrs. Lawson. “That +is the room just beyond my office. My husband has been called to New +York on business. He won’t be back until after dinner tonight, so we +will be alone at luncheon.” + +For some reason of her own, Laura Lawson had become affability itself. +And for this Dorothy gave thanks. That she disliked this truly beautiful +creature was only natural. But it is much more pleasant to lunch with a +person who puts herself out to be charming and affable, no matter what +your private opinion of the other’s character may be. + +The dining room proved to be a low-ceiled apartment paneled in white +pine; heavy beams of the satin-finished wood overhead, and on the walls +several colorful landscapes in oils, evidently the works of artists who +knew and loved this Ridge country. A cheerful log fire burned brightly +on the open hearth beneath a high mantelpiece. Outside, the heavy snow +continued to drive past frosted window-panes, but within all was warmth +and coziness. + +Dorothy enjoyed the meal thoroughly. Like most girls, she revelled in +luxury when it came her way. Not only was her hostess an interesting and +entertaining conversationalist, the delicious food served by Tunbridge +and a second man in plum-colored knee breeches, added materially to her +pleasure. She was really sorry when the butler lighted his mistress’ +cigarette and Mrs. Lawson rose from the table. + +“I have no work for you this afternoon, Janet,” said the lady, as they +strolled into the spacious hall with its suits of polished armor and +trophies of war and the chase decorating the walls. “I have some work to +complete with Doctor Winn, so I won’t be free to entertain you. There +are periodicals and novels in the library. If it weren’t such a beastly +day, I would suggest a walk.” + +“Oh, I don’t mind a snowstorm!” Dorothy smiled at her. “I’d love to be +out in it for a while.” + +“But I’m afraid you might get lost. The blizzard is driving out of the +northeast—and that means something in this country. You’ll find it more +disagreeable than you think.” + +“I’m not afraid to walk in a blizzard,” Dorothy argued, “we used to do +it a lot at school—I love it.” + +“Oh, very well, then,” went on Mrs. Lawson. “I used to enjoy that sort +of thing myself. Somebody had better go with you, though. Let me see—” +She hesitated. “Oh, yes—Gretchen will be just the person. She’s a nice +little thing—a native of Ridgefield, you know. Gretchen can show you +round the place, and there’ll be no chance of your getting lost.” + +Dorothy was amused by this pretended concern for her safety. She knew +that Mrs. Lawson feared she might take it into her head to walk to the +railroad station and board the first train back to town. Gretchen as +guide and chaperone would be able to forestall anything like that. Mrs. +Lawson was not yet sure of the new secretary! + +Dorothy’s features betrayed no sign of her thoughts. “That will be ever +so much pleasanter than going alone,” she agreed. “Gretchen seems to be +a sweet girl. I saw her this morning when she brought my breakfast and +unpacked my clothes. I’m sorry, though, that you can’t come too.” +Deception, she found, was becoming a habit when treating with her +hostess. + +“Thank you, my dear—I’m sorry, too.” Mrs. Lawson went toward the +tasselled bell rope that hung beside the fireplace. “Run upstairs now +and get into warm things. I’ll ring for Gretchen and have her meet you +down here in quarter of an hour.” + +Fifteen minutes afterward, warmly dressed in whipcord jodhpurs, a heavy +sweater and knee-length leather coat of dark green, Dorothy came out of +her room onto the gallery, pulling a white wool skating cap well down +over her ears. With a white wool scarf twisted about her throat, the +long ends thrown back over her shoulders, she looked ready for any +winter sport as she ran lightly down the stairs, the rubber soles of her +high arctics making no sound on the broad oaken steps. + +Gretchen, well bundled up in sweater and heavy tweed skirt was waiting +for her. + +“You certainly do look like a picture on a Christmas magazine cover, +Miss Jordan,” the girl exclaimed, while they walked to the front door. +“I’m glad you’ve got warm gauntlets. It’s mighty cold out—you’ll need +them.” + +Dorothy laughed gaily and swung open the door. “Nothing could be more +becoming than your own costume, Gretchen. That light blue skating set is +just the color of your eyes.” + +“That,” chuckled Gretchen, “is the real reason I bought it.” + +They were outside now and standing under the wide porte-cochere of glass +and wrought iron. + +“It’s glorious out here, and not too cold, either.” Dorothy sniffed the +sharp air enthusiastically. “I hate staying indoors on a wild day like +this. Look at those big flakes spinning down and sideslipping into the +drifts. It makes one glad to be alive.” + +“You said it, Miss Jordan. I love it myself—though I never thought of +snowflakes being like airplanes before. Which way do you want to go?” + +“You’re the leader, Gretchen. Anywhere you say suits me.” + +“Then let’s tramp over to the pond, Miss Jordan. The ice ought to be +holding. We’ll stop at the garage and fetch a broom along. There’s too +much snow for skating, but we might make a slide.” + +“That will be fun,” agreed Dorothy, as they came down the steps and +swung along the white expanse of driveway. “I haven’t done anything like +that since I was a kid. How far’s the pond from here?” + +“About half a mile. Doctor Winn owns several hundred acres. It’s down +yonder in a hollow. This time of year when the trees are bare, you can +see it plainly from the house. Today there’s too much snow.” + +“There certainly is plenty of it!” Dorothy was ploughing through the +fluffy white mass nearly up to her knees. “A good eighteen inches must +have fallen already and it’s drifting fast. If it doesn’t stop by +tonight, Winncote will be snowed in for a while. What’s that building +over there, Gretchen—gray stone, isn’t it?” + +“That’s the laboratory, miss. It’s really a wing of the house. The +stables are just beyond, but this storm’s so thick, it blots them out. +Well, here we are at the garage. If you’ll wait a minute, I’ll step +inside and get a broom.” + +“Get two if you can,” suggested Dorothy. “Then we’ll both get some +exercise, and they’ll come in handy while we’re getting through the +drifts.” + +“I’ll do my best,” said Gretchen. She disappeared through a door in the +side of the building. + +Dorothy looked about her. Rolling clouds of windswept snowflakes made it +impossible to see objects more than a few yards away with any +distinctness. The dark shadow of low clouds painted the white of her +landscape a cold, dull gray. But she noticed, as she waited, that the +storm was driving in gusts, that occasionally there would be a short +lull when the sun, tinging the sky with rose and yellow, seemed fighting +to break its way through to this white-blanketed world. Then Gretchen, a +broom in each hand, joined her. + +“Whew! that place was stuffy,” she said, handing one of the brooms to +Dorothy, and starting ahead at right angles from the way they had come. +“Hanley made a fuss giving me two—he would! It’s a wonder the cars +don’t melt in there. He keeps the place like an oven. All the help from +the city is like that. They can’t seem to get warm enough, and the way +they hate fresh air is a caution! I roomed with Sadie, the other +chambermaid, when I first came, and you won’t believe it, but that girl +had nailed our window shut so it couldn’t be opened! I spoke to Mr. +Tunbridge next morning, and he gave me a room of my own. I always did +like Mr. Tunbridge. He’s a real gentleman, he is.” + +They forged ahead through the drifts to the crossfire of Gretchen’s +light chatter, and Dorothy was given a series of entertaining stories +concerning the habits of the Winncote servants and their life +below-stairs. It was rough going with the storm in their faces, and +Gretchen eventually ceased her gossiping from sheer lack of breath. The +ground began to slope gently downward, and finally they came to a belt +of trees in a hollow. Fifty yards farther on, a broad expanse of white +marked the extent of Winncote Pond beneath its thick, flat quilt of +snow. + +“Think the ice will hold?” Dorothy walked to the brink of the little +lake. “I’d hate to go in on a day like this.” + +“Oh, that’s all right. I was down here for an hour yesterday afternoon +with my skates before the snow began, and it was much warmer then. The +ice was wonderful—slick as glass and solid as a rock.” + +By dint of considerable exercise they cleared two narrow paths that ran +parallel across the ice. Then they commenced a series of sliding +contests, each girl on her own ice track. Starting at a line in the snow +a few yards above the low bank, they would race forward to the brink and +shoot out on the ice, vying with each other to see who could slide the +farthest. There were several tumbles at first, but the deep snow along +the sides of the tracks prevented bad bumps. Soon, however, they both +became adepts at the sport. Dorothy, aided by her extra weight, for she +was at least twenty pounds heavier than little Gretchen, invariably won. + +After a half an hour of this rather violent sport, they cleared the snow +from a fallen tree trunk and sat down for a rest. Here in the hollow, +surrounded by trees, the wind lost a great deal of its force. But the +snow continued to fall unabated, and their hot breath clouded like steam +in the cold air. Their cheeks were tingling crimson from the racing, and +both felt in high good spirits. + +“I can’t understand why so many rich people go south every winter,” +Gretchen said earnestly. “I wouldn’t miss out on this fun—the snow and +the skating, tobogganing—for anything in the world.” + +“People like that,” decreed Dorothy, “just don’t know how to live. You +can have lots of fun in summer, of course. I don’t know which I love the +best. But this sort of thing makes you feel just grand. It certainly put +the pep into—.” She stopped short and sprang to her feet. From +somewhere close by and seemingly below her, had come a low, moaning +sound. + +Gretchen jumped up. Her doll-like face with its round, blue eyes took on +a look of startled wonder. “What was that?” she cried. “It sounded as if +I—as if I was sitting on it!” + +Again came the low cry in a weird, minor key. + +“You were. It’s coming from the inside of this log. An animal of some +kind.” + +“Why, I guess you’re right. Whatever it is, the thing gave me the +heebie-jeebies for a minute.” + +The snow had drifted over the butt of the half-rotted tree. Dorothy took +her broom and swept it clear. + +“The log’s hollow!” she exclaimed and bent down. “Yes, there’s something +in there—I can see its eyes—come here, Gretchen! You can see for +yourself.” + +“Not me!” declared that young woman. “I don’t want to get bit—I mean, +bitten, miss.” + +“Oh, never mind the grammar.” Dorothy was almost standing on her head, +trying to get a better view. “But do cut out the polite trimmings when +we’re alone. You’re Gretchen and I’m Dorothy—savez?” + +“All right—Dorothy. But please be careful. That thing may jump out at +you.” + +“I wish it would. Then I’d know what it is. And whatever it is, the +animal in there can’t be much bigger than a rabbit. The hole isn’t wide +enough.” + +“Maybe it is a rabbit.” Gretchen came nearer. + +“Did you ever hear a rabbit make a noise like that?” Dorothy’s tone was +disdainful. + +“Then—maybe it’s a wildcat!” said Gretchen fearfully. + +“Well, if it is, it’s a small one. Here, puss—puss. The silly thing is +too far in to reach. She just blinks at me.” + +“Perhaps she’s hurt and crawled in there to die, Dorothy.” + +“Aren’t you cheerful! She probably crawled in there to get out of the +storm, and is half-frozen, poor thing.” + +“Well, I don’t know what we’re going to do about it,” sighed Gretchen, +still keeping her distance. + +Once more the low moan came from the log, but now that the end was free +from snow, the sound was much clearer. + +“That’s no wildcat, either!” Dorothy twisted her head, first to the +right, then to the left, in an attempt to get a better light on the +log’s occupant. “There’s too much of a whine in that cry. The thing’s +probably a young fox. How does one call a fox, Gretchen? I’m hanged if I +know.” + +“Nor me, neither, Dorothy. It’s the first time I’ve ever heard of +anybody wanting to call one.” + +They both laughed. “You don’t seem to know much about foxes,” teased +Dorothy. “Didn’t you ever see a fox?” + +“No. But my father says the way they steal eggs and suck them is a +caution.” + +“Well,” admitted Dorothy, “we can’t stand around here all day, trying to +get frozen foxes out of hollow logs. I’ll try whistling, and you can +make a noise like a sucked egg. If that doesn’t work, we’ll have to +leave him in his lair.” With a wink at the giggling Gretchen, she bent +down again and whistled shrilly. “Here, boy!” she called. “Come on out +to your mama!” + +There was a scrambling noise within the log, and Gretchen started for +the pond. + +“Oh, be careful, Dorothy! Do be careful!” she cried, as she saw her +friend gather a small creature into her arms. “What is it, anyway—is it +a fox?” + +“No, a first cousin.” Dorothy shook the ends of her wool scarf free from +snow and wrapped them around the small animal. + +“A first cousin?” Gretchen came nearer. “What in the world do you mean +by that?” + +“Come and take a look,” her friend invited. “He won’t bite you, will +you, boy?” + +Gretchen saw her pat a little black nose that poked its way out of the +scarf. A long pointed head, brindle and white, in which were set two +snapping black eyes, followed the nose. “Why, why, it’s a fox terrier—a +fox terrier puppy!” she gasped. “How do you suppose he ever came to +crawl into that log?” + +Dorothy patted the dog’s head. “Got lost in the storm, I guess. The poor +little chap can’t be over three months old. Does he belong up at the +house?” + +“No, he doesn’t. What’s more, none of the people who live around here +have a fox terrier pup that I know of.” + +Dorothy examined the pup’s front paws, but did so very gently. “This +little man has come a long way.” She covered him again. “The bottom of +his feet show it. They’re cut and badly swollen. And he’s half-frozen +and starved into the bargain, I’ll bet. Let’s go back to the house and +make him comfortable.” + +“I’ll carry the brooms,” said Gretchen. “You have an armful, with him. +By the way, you’re going to keep him, aren’t you?” + +“Surest thing you know! That is, unless someone comes to claim him.” + +They trudged off through the trees and up the hill, Gretchen shouldering +the brooms. + +“What are you going to call him?” she asked, after a while. + +“What do you think?” + +“Why, I don’t know. Wait a minute, though—there’s a girl who lives over +in Silvermine named Dorothea Gutmann. Daddy sometimes does work for her +father. Dorothea has a fox terrier pup and she calls him ‘Professor.’ Do +you know why?” + +“I give up,” said Dorothy, floundering through the snow beside her. “Why +does Dorothea Gutmann call her fox terrier pup Professor?” + +“Because,” smiled Gretchen in delight, “he just about ate up a +dictionary!” + +Dorothy laughed merrily, and hugged the warm little bundle in her arms. +“And when you’ve got outside a lot of words like that, even a pup would +know as much as the average professor, I s’pose.” + +“That’s the way Dorothea thought about it. I’ve been over to the +Gutmanns a couple of times with Daddy and her dog looks enough like +yours to be a twin!” + +“We run into doubles nowadays, every day!” Dorothy chuckled. “First it’s +Janet and me who can’t be told apart. Then it’s Dorothea’s dog and mine. +I know her, too, by the way. She’s in the New Canaan Junior High. But I +haven’t seen her puppy. Our names are almost alike, too, but not quite, +thank goodness. If any more of this double identity business comes +along, I’ll just have to give up. A girl’s got to have some sort of a +personality all her own, you know.” + +“I wouldn’t let that worry me,” said Gretchen. “There’s only one Dorothy +Dixon, after all.” + +“Thanks for those kind words, Gretchen. That’s really very sweet of you, +though. If the pup was a lady, I’d call him ‘Gretchen’. Since he isn’t, +‘Professor’ will do very nicely. We’ll try him on a dictionary when we +get home, that is, after he’s had some nice warm bread and milk, and a +good sleep.” + +“If,” smiled Gretchen, “what you said just now was meant for a +compliment—well, I’m glad Professor is not a lady. You’d better go on +to the house, while I drop these brooms in here at the garage. I’ll come +to your room just as soon as I can slip into my uniform, and I’ll bring +up the bread and milk.” + +“I always knew you were a dear,” said Dorothy, and she continued to push +her way on toward the house. + + + + + Chapter XV + + TEA AND ORDERS + + +After she had changed her clothes and fed the famished pup with a bowl +of warm milk and bread, Dorothy took him down to the library. Gretchen +brought a small open basket and a blanket and they made him a bed near +the open fire. Professor promptly went to sleep, and his mistress curled +up in a deep chair beside him, reading and dozing for the rest of the +afternoon. To amuse Gretchen, she had placed a dictionary near the +basket, to see if Professor would follow his double’s example and so +justify his name. When he awoke, however, about four o’clock, he merely +jumped out of his bed on to the book, and up to Dorothy’s lap, where he +went to sleep again. + +“Good ole pup!” Dorothy rubbed his smooth, warm head between his ears. +“You show your intelligence by using the dictionary as a stepping stone +to better things, don’t you, Prof!” + +She yawned, closed her book, and promptly went to sleep again herself. + +She awoke with a start, to find Mrs. Lawson smiling down at her. +Tunbridge was laying the tea-things on a table at the other side of the +fire. “Well, my dear,” the lady said, her eyes on the fox terrier, “I +see you’ve found a new friend.” + +“Oh, yes, isn’t he just too darling? I found him out in the blizzard, he +was half frozen and almost starved!” She went on to tell Mrs. Lawson +about it. + +“I’m afraid I’m not very fond of animals, Janet.” Dorothy noticed that +she did not attempt to touch the puppy. “I don’t dislike them, you +understand, but somehow they never seem to like me.” + +“That’s too bad,” said Dorothy. “I do hope you won’t mind my keeping +him—at least until we learn who his owner is?” + +Laura Lawson looked doubtful. “Well, I don’t mind. But—this is Doctor +Winn’s house, you know, and his decision, after all, is the one that +counts. You will have to ask him about keeping the dog, Janet.” + +“Is Doctor Winn going to have tea with us, Mrs. Lawson?” + +“He most certainly is, my dear. That is, if you ladies will pour him a +cup.” + +Dorothy glanced up, and beside her stood an old gentleman, very tall and +spare, but bowed with the weight of his years. She knew that the +scientist was well over eighty. Catching up the fox terrier, she rose to +her feet. + +“How do you do, Doctor Winn?” She smiled and offered him her hand. + +The old gentleman bent over it with courtly grace. “Good afternoon, Miss +Janet Jordan. Welcome to Winncote.” Merry gray eyes twinkled at her from +behind pince-nez attached to a broad black ribbon. An aristocrat of the +old school, Dorothy thought, as she studied his handsome, clean shaven +face crisscrossed with the tiny wrinkles of advanced age. She had +imagined him to be quite a different sort of person. His next words +proved that he read her thoughts. + +“You expected to see a musty old fellow, with a long white beard, +wearing a smock stained by chemicals, eh?” He chuckled softly. “Now, +tell me, young lady, isn’t that so? Though I admit these flannel slacks +and old Norfolk jacket are hardly fashionable habiliments when one is +taking tea with ladies!” + +He released her hand and smiled a greeting to Mrs. Lawson. The second +footman, he of the plum-colored knee-breeches, set the tea table before +that young matron, under the supervision of the stately Tunbridge. + +Dorothy liked this gallant old scientist and his courtly ways. Her own +eyes sparkled gaily back at him. “Yes, you did surprise me, Doctor +Winn,” she confessed. “Please don’t think I’m being forward, but—but +you seem much more like the English fox-hunting squires I’ve read about, +than the world-renowned chemist you really are, with stacks of letters +after your name. But ever so much nicer, and jollier, you know!” + +Doctor Winn beamed. “Now that, my dear, is a most charming compliment. +Old fellows like me aren’t used to compliments from young ladies, +either. Do sit down again, please, and tell me how you like Winncote and +our New England snowstorms. We old people need young folks around. I can +see that we are going to be good friends.” + +He sat down in a chair the butler drew up for him. + +“Mrs. Lawson will tell you,” replied Dorothy, “that I love it out here +in the country.” She accepted a cup of tea from Tunbridge and added +sugar and a slice of lemon. The butler was followed by his liveried +assistant, bearing silver platters of hot, buttered scones and tiny iced +cakes. Professor immediately began to show interest in the proceedings. +Dorothy held him firmly out of harm’s way, and placed her tea and +eatables on the broad arm of her chair. + +Mrs. Lawson looked up from her place behind the shining silver and old +china of the tea table. She smiled graciously. “Oh, yes, Janet loves +blizzards, too, Doctor Winn. She went out for a walk this afternoon and +acquired a fox terrier puppy, as you see.” + +“And naturally, she wants to keep him.” The old gentleman leaned forward +in his chair, the better to look at Professor. “You certainly may, +Janet. And by the way, I hope you’ll agree that it’s an old man’s +privilege to call you by your first name?” + +“Oh, that is sweet of you!” Dorothy cried delightedly, and the Doctor’s +chuckle echoed her pleasure. + +“The dog’s got a fine head—a very fine head, indeed. If anybody +advertises for him, or comes to claim him, I’ll take pleasure in buying +the puppy for you.” + +“Why, you’re nicer every minute,” declared Dorothy. “Isn’t he, +Professor?” + +The pup yawned with great indifference, which set all three of them +laughing. His mistress put him in his blanket where he promptly curled +up and fell into slumber once more. + +“I sadly fear,” said Doctor Winn, as he polished his pince-nez with a +white silk handkerchief, “that you are a good deal of a flirt Janet. But +inasmuch as I am old enough to be your grandfather, or +great-grandfather, for that matter, you are pardoned with a reprimand.” +He chuckled deep in his throat, a habit he had when pleased. “Now tell +me, how you happened to find him out in the snow.” + +Dorothy recounted the story in detail. When she came to the part about +Gretchen’s fear of the wildcat and the fox, even Mrs. Lawson, who was +none too sure she liked the turn things were taking, broke into a merry +peal of laughter. + +“Capital, capital!” Doctor Winn beamed. “I only wish I’d been there to +see it. But why, may I ask, do you call him Professor?” + +Dorothy explained about the dictionary and Gretchen’s idea of the pup’s +resemblance to Dorothea Gutmann’s fox terrier. + +“Better and better,” exclaimed the Doctor. “This is the jolliest tea +we’ve had in this house for ages. We need young people around us to be +really happy. You and I and Martin, Laura, have been working too hard of +late. ‘All work and no play’—We’ve been bothering too much about things +scientific, and neglecting things personal. Well now, we can rest a +while, and become human beings again.” + +Mrs. Lawson leaned forward eagerly. “Then, the formula is complete?” she +asked in a low voice, in which Dorothy detected the barely controlled +tremor of excitement. + +“Yes, indeed. Finished and locked in my safe. I added the final figures +and quantities three-quarters of an hour ago. Tomorrow, or if the +weather doesn’t clear by then, the next day at latest, I shall take it +on to Washington.” + +“I congratulate you, Doctor. And I know that once it is in the hands of +the government, a great load will be taken off your mind.” + +“You’re right, my dear, you are right. I’ve been jumpy as a cat with +eight of its lives gone for the past year.” He turned to Dorothy. “Thank +goodness, you’re young and without responsibilities, Janet. There are so +many unscrupulous people about nowadays. If those papers were lost or +stolen, there is no telling what would happen. I dare not think of it. +The whole world might suffer if that formula got into the wrong hands!” + +Dorothy could not help thinking that the world at large would be much +better off if the formula were destroyed. She, therefore, merely nodded +and looked impressed. How this gentle, kindly old man could have brought +himself to invent such a ghastly menace to life, she found it difficult +to understand. + +Laura Lawson stood up. “Doctor Winn likes to dine early, Janet, so if we +are to be dressed by six-thirty, we had better start upstairs.” + +“My word, yes!” The old gentleman snapped open the hunting case of his +repeater and got stiffly to his feet. “Time flies when one is enjoying +oneself. It’s nearly six o’clock. This has been very pleasant indeed, +the first of many afternoons, I hope.” He snapped the watch shut and +returned it to his pocket. “You ladies will excuse me, I’m sure.” He +bowed to them both, and holding himself much more erect than he had +formerly, walked stiffly from the room. + +“He’s simply darling,” exclaimed Dorothy in a hushed voice. + +“Yes, he’s a very simple and a very fine old gentleman,” said Laura +Lawson. She seemed lost in her thoughts and evidently unaware that she +uttered them aloud. “Sometimes—I hate to hurt him so.” + +“Why—why, what do you mean?” Dorothy could have bitten her own tongue +out for speaking that sentence. + +“Mean—? Oh, nothing, child. Run along now, and change. But take your +dog with you. I’ll see that one of the men gives him a run in the +stables while we’re at dinner.” + +“Thank you very much,” said Dorothy. She turned the sleeping pup out of +his bed, caught up the basket, and with Professor at her heels, ran +lightly from the room. + +Just outside the door she collided with Tunbridge, and Professor’s +basket was jerked from her grasp. + +“Oh, I’m so very sorry, Miss Jordan!” His acting was perfect. Dorothy +knew that Mrs. Lawson was close behind them. Then as they both stooped +to retrieve the basket their heads came close together. “Under your +pillow!” It was hardly more than the breath of a whisper, but Dorothy +caught the words, nodded her understanding, and stood up. + +“I’m afraid I’m to blame, Tunbridge. I didn’t see you coming.” + +“Not at all, Miss. It was my fault, entirely. Very clumsy of me I’m +sure!” + +From the corner of her eye Dorothy caught a glimpse of Laura Lawson +watching them from the doorway. + +“Don’t let it worry you, Tunbridge. I’m not hurt, neither is the basket. +Professor will probably park himself on my _pillow_ tonight, anyway. +Puppies have a way of doing such things, you know. So it really wouldn’t +matter much if you had smashed it.” + +She gave him a nod, and picking up the dog made for the staircase. + +“So instructions are waiting under my pillow,” she mused, as she slowly +mounted the broad stair. The afternoon had been a pleasant one, but the +evening, with those instructions ahead of her, portended to be something +quite different. It had been so nice and cheerful, chatting round the +tea table; so cozy sitting before the glowing logs, just talking of +jolly things and forgetting all worry and responsibility. Of course, +beyond the curtained windows, the blizzard howled. And it whipped the +swirling snowflakes into disordered clouds with its arctic lash before +it let them seek the shelter of their fellows in the drifts. She felt +very much as though she too were a snowflake, tossed hither and thither +on the storm of circumstance, to be whipped forward by the secret lash +of underlying crime. + +If she could only drop down on to her bed and sleep—and awake to find +it all a bad dream! She sighed and went toward her door on the gallery. +Her pillow held no peace for her tonight—nothing more nor less than +detailed instructions as to how Tunbridge wished her to rob a safe. Why +didn’t the man do his own stealing? Her part was to take Janet’s place +out here, and kill suspicion in Laura Lawson. Well, she’d done that, +hadn’t she? And now they loaded this other job on to her. It wasn’t +fair. She had done enough—she’d— + +“Oh, shucks!” She pulled herself up mentally as her hand fell on the +doorknob. “I’ll be losing my nerve altogether, if I let my thoughts run +on this way. D. Dixon, you just _must not_ funk it!” + +She turned the knob and entered her room. + + + + + Chapter XVI + + CAUGHT IN THE ACT + + +When Dorothy went down to dinner that evening, she knew exactly what she +had to do. After reading Tunbridge’s note which she found had been +slipped between the pillow case and the pillow itself, she had memorized +the combination to Doctor Winn’s safe, and destroyed the missive as she +had his warning of the night before. After a bath and a complete change +of clothing, she felt refreshed and in a much better frame of mind. She +had selected one of the prettiest gowns in Janet’s wardrobe, a turquoise +blue crepe, with a cluster of silver roses fastened in the twisted +velvet girdle, put on slippers to match, and surveyed the result in the +mirror. + +“Decidedly becoming, my girl,” she smiled at her reflection, and gave a +last pat to her shining bob that she had brushed until it lay like a +bronze cap close about her shapely head. “Might as well look my best at +my criminal debut!” She made a face at herself, turned and kissed the +sleeping puppy in his basket, and went downstairs. + +Doctor Winn and Mrs. Lawson were standing talking in the entrance hall, +near the fireplace. The old gentleman, dressed in immaculate dinner +clothes, looked more than ever like the English squire in his ancestral +hall. He came forward to meet her, both hands outstretched. + +“As charming as an English primrose and twice as beautiful!” he greeted +gaily. + +“Thank you kindly, sir.” She dropped him a little curtsey and let him +lead her to Mrs. Lawson. + +“Our little secretary has blossomed into a very lovely debutante,” he +beamed. + +Dorothy bit her lip, remembering her own phrase of a few moments before, +then smiled at her employer. Mrs. Lawson was regal in black velvet, +trimmed in narrow bands of ermine. She returned Dorothy’s smile, and +lifted her finely pencilled brows at the Doctor. “Oh, you men. You are +all alike. A pretty gown, a pretty face intrigues you, young or old. Pay +no attention to his flattery, Janet. I can hardly blame him, though. You +look lovely tonight. That is an exquisite frock. Did you buy it abroad?” + +“Oh, no, at a little place on fifty-seventh street.” Of course Dorothy +had no idea where Janet had bought the dress. “It is a Paris model, +though, Mrs. Lawson.” + +“I thought as much. Ah, here comes Tunbridge with the cocktails. I +wonder which side of the fence you are on?” + +“I’m—I’m afraid I don’t know quite what you mean, Mrs. Lawson.” + +“I’ll explain,” broke in the old gentleman. “I’m the prohibitionist in +this house, Janet. Mrs. Lawson is one of the antis. She likes a real +cocktail before dinner. I prefer one made of tomato juice.” + +Mrs. Lawson had already helped herself to a brimming glass and a small +canapé of caviar from the silver tray Tunbridge was holding. + +“Oh, I love tomato cocktails,” smiled Dorothy. She took one from the man +and helped herself to the caviar. “Daddy asked me not to drink until I +was twenty-one—and I’m not so keen on the idea, anyway.” + +“I try to keep an open mind about such things,” the Doctor said +seriously, “but I’ve never found that the use of alcohol did anyone any +good. Well, here’s your very good health, ladies!” He raised his glass +of tomato juice and drank. + +Dinner was announced a few minutes later. Doctor Winn offered his right +arm to Mrs. Lawson and his left to Dorothy and they walked into the +dining room. Dorothy did not enjoy that meal as much as she had her +luncheon. True, the food was delicious and the panelled room with its +cheerful fire on the hearth and the soft glow of candle light was +delightfully homey, while Doctor Winn’s easy chatter and fund of +interesting reminiscence helped to break the tedium of the courses. But +Dorothy found it difficult to play up to his amusing sallies. The old +gentleman appeared to be in very good spirits indeed. Laura Lawson, on +the other hand, was unusually quiet. At times she seemed distrait and +merely smiled absently when spoken to. She drank several glasses of +claret, but hardly touched her food. Dorothy felt surer than ever that +the Lawsons had planned their coup for tonight. She shrewdly surmised +that this cold-blooded adventuress had become fond of the genial, +fatherly old man, and realized that at his age the blow she contemplated +might very well prove a fatal one. + +As the dinner wore on, Dorothy felt more and more ill at ease. The sight +of Tunbridge, soft-footed and efficient, waiting on table or +superintending his satellite of the plum-colored kneebreeches, sent her +thoughts to the night’s work ahead every time the detective-butler came +into the room. She was glad when at last the meal was over and they +repaired to the library where after-dinner coffee was served. Dorothy +rarely drank coffee in the evening, but tonight she allowed Tunbridge to +fill her cup a second time. There must be no sleep for her until the wee +hours of the morning, and she knew from former experience that the black +coffee would keep her awake. + +Mrs. Lawson, after wandering aimlessly about the room, finally picked up +a technical magazine and commenced to read. Doctor Winn suggested a game +of chess to Dorothy. She was fond of the ancient game and told him so. +Many a tournament she and her father had played with their red and white +ivory chessmen. Dr. Winn was a brilliant player, of long experience. +Soon he began to compliment Dorothy upon a number of strategic moves. +But although several times she managed to place his king in check, it +was invariably her own royal chessman who was checkmated in the end. As +the evening wore on, the beatings became more frequent, for Dorothy +simply could not keep her mind on the game. + +For a while she sat watching the log fire and talking to the Doctor in a +desultory way while Mrs. Lawson continued to read. Then as the +grandfather clock chimed ten, Laura Lawson laid down her magazine and +stood up. + +“I think I’ll go to bed now, if you don’t mind.” The half stifled yawn, +sheer camouflage thought Dorothy, was nevertheless a masterpiece of +deception. “I’ve a bit of a headache, so I’ll say good night.” + +Doctor Winn and Dorothy got to their feet. “I’m for bed myself,” +announced the old gentleman, “and in spite of the coffee you drank after +dinner, I know you’re sleepy, Janet. Your chess playing toward the end +proved it.” His eyes twinkled at her. “But in storm or clear weather, +there’s nothing like the air of this Connecticut Ridge Country to make +one eat and sleep. By the way, Laura, when do you expect Martin?” + +“Oh, I forgot to tell you, Doctor—he won’t be back tonight. He phoned +me from town just before dinner, that on account of the blizzard, he had +decided to stay in until tomorrow. If you need him sooner, he said to +call up the Roosevelt. He always stops there, you know.” + +“Yes, yes, but I shan’t need him, thank you.” He turned to Dorothy. “The +railroad has taken upon itself to discontinue all service to +Ridgefield,” he explained. “Branchville is our nearest station, and +driving will be difficult tonight. There must be very deep drifts by +this time.” + +“I should think it would be mighty unpleasant to get stuck out in a +blizzard like this. I’m glad I don’t have to go out into it. But in a +way I’m thankful for the snow, because we ought to have a white +Christmas, and it’s ever so much more fun.” + +“Bless my soul! I’d entirely forgotten that Christmas comes next week. +Well, this year we must celebrate the Yuletide in the good old fashioned +way. Thank you, Janet, for reminding me.” + +Good nights were said, and a few minutes later Dorothy was again alone +in the Pink Bedroom. Or so she thought, as she entered. But at once she +noticed that a single shaded wall-light sent a pleasant glow from the +bay window, and curled up in the cushioned recess, Gretchen was reading. + +Dorothy stopped short in surprise and the girl sprang to her feet. “Oh, +Miss—Miss Jordan, Mr. Tunbridge told me to come and help you undress +and get ready for the night. Of course I didn’t know if you would want +me—” then she added in a whisper, “but he thought you might be sort of +blue and I could cheer you up, I guess.” + +Dorothy smiled at Gretchen’s pretty, earnest face. “Why, of course I +want you, Gretchen. Tunbridge is very thoughtful. I’ve never had the +luxury of a personal maid and I don’t know that I’ll ever feel helpless +enough to need one! But if you want to stay and talk, I’d love it.” + +“But I can help you, too,” Gretchen insisted. “I’m not really a trained +maid, you know, but Nanette—that’s Mrs. Lawson’s French maid—has been +teaching me. Gee, I’d certainly love to be _your_ personal maid, Miss +Jordan.” + +“Well, you may be, some day, who knows?” she laughed. “But you can help +me tonight, though there’ll be no bed for me until much later.” + +Gretchen, who was arranging the pillows and smoothing the covers on the +bed, turned her head sharply. “Secret Service Work?” she queried in an +excited whisper. + +Dorothy nodded and tossed her dress on to a chair. She continued +speaking in a tone just above a whisper. “At twelve o’clock tonight I’ve +got to go downstairs and commit justifiable burglary in Doctor Winn’s +office. The real thief will be along later—at least, I hope so, for +everybody’s sake. In the meantime I want you to do something for +me—will you?” + +“I sure will, miss—gee, this is exciting!” + +“Don’t let it cramp your style.” Dorothy laughed, and pulling off her +stocking, she handed Gretchen the packet of thin paper, the manuscript +on “Winnite” that she had typed that morning. “When you finish up in +here, I want you to find Mr. Tunbridge and give him these papers. You’d +better pin it inside your uniform now, and be very careful that nobody +sees you giving it to him.” + +“You can trust me,” declared Gretchen, and she put the papers safely +within her dress. “Is Mr. Tunbridge really a detective?” + +“He certainly is, Gretchen.” + +“I’d never have guessed it if you hadn’t told me. But then, I suppose +not looking like one makes him all the better?” + +“That’s the idea.” Dorothy put Janet’s quilted satin dressing gown on +over her pajamas. “Now that I’m ready for bed, and you’ve put all my +clothes away so nicely, I think you’d better run along, Gretchen. Not,” +she amended, “that I wouldn’t love to talk to you while I’m waiting for +twelve o’clock, but we must not let certain people in this house get +wise to our friendship.” + +“And Mrs. Lawson is one awful snoopy lady,” Gretchen observed candidly. +“Well, good night, Miss Jordan. Thank you a lot for letting me in on +this. I’ll see that Mr. Tunbridge gets your papers all right. Good +night—and take care of yourself.” She stood before Dorothy with an +anxious frown on her honest brow. “I sure do wish you the very best +luck!” + +Dorothy grinned. “Thank you. I certainly need it. Good night.” + +The door closed upon the little maid and Dorothy looked at her wrist +watch. It was ten minutes to eleven. For a time she sat on the edge of +her bed and stared unseeingly at the rug under her feet. Presently she +got up, locked her door, turned off her lights and went over to the +window. She drew aside the curtains and was surprised to see that it had +stopped snowing. There was no moon, but what sky she could see was +fairly a-crackle with stars. The heavy blanket of snow looked silver in +the starlight. A remote world and cold. Dorothy allowed the curtains to +drop back into place, and sat down on the window seat. Lost in thoughts +pleasant and unpleasant, she sat there for the next hour, while the +faint noises of the big house gradually subsided into stillness. + +At exactly five minutes to twelve, Dorothy raised the window, letting in +the cold night air. Then she turned off the heat and got into bed. After +lying there for possibly a minute, she threw back the covers, thrust her +feet into the fur-lined slippers she had left at the bedside and moved +like a dim shadow to the closet. + +It was crowded with Janet’s suits, coats and frocks, and she was careful +not to disturb them on their hangers, as she pushed between them in the +darkness to the rear wall and pressed her foot on the board in the +corner. The panel slid upward with a noiselessness that spoke for +well-oiled machinery somewhere in the walls. Dorothy stepped cautiously +through the opening. Her fingers sought the handle to this sliding door, +found it, and she pulled the panel down again. + +Then for the first time she made use of the small flashlight which she +carried in the pocket of her gown. She saw that she was standing on the +top step of a narrow circular stair that wound downward. Off went her +light again—she was taking no unnecessary chances tonight—and with her +hand on the metal handrail, she felt her way slowly down the stair, +holding her free hand well in advance of her body. + +When her extended fingers touched a wall that blocked further progress, +she felt with a slippered foot out to the right. The board gave +slightly, the wall panel moved upward and she stepped forth to find +herself in the great fireplace of the entrance hall, just beyond the +embers of the dying logs. The hall was illuminated in the dim glow of a +night light in the ceiling. As she turned to pull down the sliding +shutter, there came a streak of white from the dark passage and +Professor bounded into the hall. + +Dorothy was completely startled, and just as exasperated as she could +be. She could not call him, for the slightest sound might bring the +wakeful enemy to the spot. The pup, after his long sleep, was playful, +and scampered about madly, his bright eyes watching her every move. She +attempted to catch him, but he eluded her with an agility that made her +still more angry. He seemed to think that this was a splendid game, +raced across the floor in high glee, but ever watchful to keep beyond +her reach. + +Dorothy gave it up as a bad job. She dared not pursue him too +determinedly, for fear he would bark. She pulled down the sliding +shutter in the fireplace, and leaving Professor to his frolic, hurried +on to the door of Doctor Winn’s office. + +Inside the room with the door shut, her flashlight came into play for +the second time. It took her but a moment with the memorized combination +at her fingertips to open the safe. The door was surprisingly heavy, but +at last the interior of the small vault came within her line of vision. +From a drawer she took a folded sheet of white paper. Out of her pocket +came a pencil and another sheet of paper. In an amazingly short time she +copied the formula and replaced the original in the safe drawer. She +tucked the copy into the fur lining of her slipper under her bare foot. +Then suddenly she sprang up. + +Her heart leaped into her throat. In the corridor just outside there +came the sound of a footstep. There was no time to do more than shut off +her torch and drop it, together with her pencil, into the waste paper +basket. The door opened, lights flashed on, and Martin Lawson walked +into the room. + + + + + Chapter XVII + + PROFESSOR MAKES GOOD + + +In that moment, Dorothy knew what she must do. A shiver ran over her +slender frame and she blinked as though partly awakened by the flash of +lights. Then, with eyes wide open and staring straight ahead, she slowly +walked toward Martin Lawson and the open doorway. + +“_Stop!_” + +The command, though low, was uttered in a tone of deadly menace, and +Dorothy saw the blue-black muzzle of an automatic revolver pointed at +her heart. She stopped on the instant, but continued to stare straight +ahead without change of expression. She noted that he wore a soft felt +hat pulled over his eyes and a heavy ulster with its broad collar turned +up half hiding the lower part of his face. His high arctics bore traces +of melting snow. + +“Sleepwalking, eh! Well, I don’t believe it.” His sharp eyes took in the +open door of the safe. “Snap out of that playacting and tell me what you +are doing here!” + +Dorothy did not move a muscle. + +Without warning, he grasped her wrist and jerked her savagely toward +him. She screamed and went limp in his arms. Lawson clapped a hand over +her mouth. + +“So you’re up to your old tricks again, Martin!” + +Mrs. Lawson, fully dressed, and wearing a three-quarters mink coat and +brown felt cloche, appeared in the open doorway. “So our little +sleepwalker interrupted a very pretty piece of double-crossing!” She +pointed toward the safe. + +Lawson flung the weeping girl into an arm chair where she lay apparently +half stunned and shaking in every limb. + +“Double-cross, nothing!” he snapped at his wife. “How do you get that +way, Laura? I came in here just now and found Janet in the room.” + +“Was she at the safe?” + +“No, she wasn’t. She was standing in the middle of the floor. Making her +getaway without a doubt when I turned on the lights.” + +“Why do you pretend Janet opened the safe? The Doctor, you and I are the +only ones who know the combination. Laugh that off if you can, my dear!” + +They were both fast losing their tempers. + +“Combination or no combination, the safe was open when I got here,” he +snarled. “She was after the formula, of course. That father of hers is +in back of it. That Irishman is the double-crosser—and how! Figured on +working Winnite into his racket without coughing up a cent for it, +either. Call me a sucker if you like, Laura. I qualify, and so do you, +for that matter. The other stuff’s the bunk.” + +Dorothy stopped her pretended crying and lay back as though utterly +exhausted. She knew Tunbridge must be up and about. What in the world +could the man be doing? + +Mrs. Lawson who seemed to be weighing matters, slowly unbuttoned her +coat. “If you are so blameless,” she said coldly to her husband, “How do +you happen to be here at all? Your part of the job was to bring up the +car—or the plane, if it had stopped snowing.” + +“Well, it’s no longer snowing, my dear, and the plane is just where it +should be. I got tired of waiting, that’s why. Thought there must be a +slip-up. You were due out there half an hour ago.” + +“And I would have been,” said Laura Lawson evenly, “if that secret +service fool hadn’t been snooping outside my door.” + +“Tunbridge?” + +“Who else!” + +“What did you do—croak him?” + +“No, I didn’t. He’s not worth burning for.” + +As they talked, the two dropped their artificial cloaks of refinement as +if they had never been. + +“It’s hanging in this state,” sneered Martin. + +“What’s the difference! I rang for him, instead. When he knocked on the +door, I opened up and beaned him with the poker. He’ll wake up tomorrow +with a headache, but I dragged him into my room and tied him up, just to +make sure.” + +Dorothy’s heart sank to the very soles of her bare feet. + +“Atta girl!” cheered Lawson. “That’s the way! And look here, Laura. Just +to prove I’m on the straight with you—go over and frisk that kid +yourself. She’s got the paper.” + +“Thanks—I intended to.” Mrs. Lawson threw a grim smile at her husband +and turned to Dorothy. “Pass it over, Janet.” + +“But, really, Mrs. Lawson! I don’t know what you’re talking about—” + +The woman cut her short. “Stand up and come here!” + +Dorothy reluctantly obeyed. “I haven’t any paper,” she protested. “All I +know is that I woke up just now and found Mr. Lawson—” + +“Hold your tongue!” snapped Mrs. Lawson, and after exploring Dorothy’s +empty pockets, ran her fingers over the quilted gown and the girl’s +pajamas. In the midst of her search, Professor, still playful, bounded +into the room and stood watching them expectantly. + +Mrs. Lawson stepped back. “She hasn’t got it, Martin.” Her tone was +acid. “What a hard-boiled liar you are, anyway!” + +“Hard-boiled, if you like—but no liar.” He strode to the safe and +thrust his hand inside. “Here it is,” he called, and held up the paper. +“I must have got here before she could nab it.” + +Laura Lawson eyed him appraisingly. “Didn’t you say Janet was in the +middle of the room when you switched on the light?” + +“Sure—she heard me coming, of course.” + +“If Janet heard you coming, why didn’t she swing the door shut? Don’t +try to pull that stuff on me, Martin. Even if the girl knows the +combination she couldn’t open that safe in the dark. Why lie about the +business? I know you opened it yourself—and what’s more, while I’ve +been wasting time arguing with you and searching Janet, the formula was +in your pocket the whole time—that is, until you pretended to take it +out of the safe, just now!” + +Martin Lawson’s hard and cruel mouth twisted into a crooked smile. “The +world is full of liars,” he said equably, “but your husband doesn’t play +that kind of a racket, Laura—anyway, not to you.” + +“Then prove it by giving me that paper!” his wife held out her hand. + +“Nothing doing, Sweetheart. The formula will be perfectly safe with me.” + +He started to put it in an inside pocket, when Laura Lawson sprang for +the paper. She grasped his wrist. There was a tussle and the folded +sheet fell to the floor. Professor, seated on his haunches and very +interested in these exciting proceedings, dove forward and snapped it +up. For half a moment he shook the paper as though he took it for a new +species of rat. Then as they went for him, he darted between Martin’s +legs and scampered out of the room. + +“You big goop!” flared his wife. “Why didn’t you pot the cur!” + +She rushed out of the room after Professor while Martin stared rather +stupidly at the gun in his hand. Suddenly his eyes took on a +particularly hard glint and he swung round on Dorothy. + +“This,” he rasped, “is the second time you’ve got me in wrong with my +wife, Miss Janet Jordan. And there just ain’t going to be no third time, +kid!” + +“Wha—what are you going to do, Mr. Lawson?” She was still playing the +terrified, innocent Janet, but she no longer feared the man. During the +Lawsons’ struggle, she had prepared herself for something like this. She +had also shifted her position and was standing near the open door, now +several yards away. + +“You’re going to answer my questions, Janet—and answer them truthfully, +or you’ll do your sleepwalking in another world after this.” He menaced +her with the automatic, “It’s the bunk, isn’t it? The sleepwalking, I +mean.” + +“It sure is, Mr. du Val!” drawled Dorothy with a sweet smile. + +Lawson was thoroughly surprised and looked it. “Yes—it naturally would +be, seeing you know who I really am.” + +“And all about you.” + +“Oh, you do, eh? You were awake, of course, at the meeting?” + +“Not me—Janet Jordan.” + +“What do you mean—not you—Janet Jordan?” + +“I mean that certain people have been making fools of you and your wife, +Mr. du Val.” + +“Is that so! In what way, may I ask?” + +“Why, you see, I’m not Janet Jordan.” + +“Not Janet Jordan!” + +“I wish,” said Dorothy, “you wouldn’t echo my words. No, I am not—most +decidedly, not Janet Jordan, although even you have guessed by this time +that I look like her. We changed places on you, big boy! Night before +last, just before you came into Janet’s room with her father, Janet was +climbing out the window when you knocked the first time. It was rather +embarrassing.” + +“It’s going to be even more embarrassing for you in a moment or two, +Miss Not Janet Jordan! You know too much to live. Who in thunderation +are you—a government dick?” + +“That’s right, big boy. I also happen to be Janet’s double cousin.” + +“You’re her double, I’ll voucher that,” agreed du Val alias Lawson. “And +all this high-hat cockiness ain’t going to do you one little bit of +good. What’s the moniker, kid? Make it snappy, I’m pressed for time.” + +“Dorothy Dixon’s my name. And—meet Flash!” Her right hand gave a quick +twist and Martin Lawson dropped the exploding automatic with a scream of +mingled rage and pain. She sprang for the revolver, covered the man and +retrieved the knife from the floor just behind him. “Sit down over +there!” She pointed to a chair. “You’re not really hurt, you know. Flash +only skinned your knuckles. Better tie them up in your handkerchief +though. You’re ruining the rug.” + +Gretchen’s blond head peered round the door frame. “Oh, Dorothy!” she +shrilled, and rushed into the room. “Are you hurt? Did he wound you?” +She flung herself on her friend in a frenzy of fright and hysterics. + +From the hall came Laura Lawson’s voice. “Martin!” she called. “They’re +out in front of the house. They’ve got the car! Hurry!” + +Lawson wasted no time. While Dorothy struggled with the excited +Gretchen, he nipped out of the room and was gone. + +“That tears it!” cried Miss Dixon, freeing herself from the little +maid’s embrace, and she dove into the passage. + +Under the gallery she stopped short. There was nobody in sight, but from +the staircase came two sharp detonations of a revolver which were +answered by two more from the dining room. Then as she moved warily +forward, Bill Bolton ran into the hall with Ashton Sanborn close at his +heels. Dorothy saw them disappear up the stairs and ran after them. + +At the top of the stairs she spied them standing outside a bedroom door. +She hurried to join them. “Hello! Gone to cover?” + +“You’re a great guesser, kid.” Bill grinned and nodded. + +“Where’s Tunbridge?” asked Mr. Sanborn. + +Dorothy motioned toward the door. “In there. He’s got a broken head and +he’s tied up into the bargain. Laura Lawson did it. That’s her room.” + +“We’ve got to get the door down,” said Bill, and he stepped back for a +rush. + +“Just a sec, Bill!” Dorothy fired three shots from Lawson’s automatic +into the lock. + +“Smart girl!” Ashton Sanborn opened the door to disclose the +detective-butler bound and unconscious, lying on the floor. Otherwise +the room was empty of occupants. “I thought as much,” muttered the +secret service man, while Dorothy ran to Tunbridge and began to cut his +bonds. “They have beat it, all right!” + +“Secret passage?” This from Bill. + +“Yes, the walls are honeycombed with them. But Tunbridge never learned +the secret of this room, poor fellow.” + +“Doctor Winn would know,” said Dorothy. “His suite is right at the end +of this corridor. He must surely be awake with all this racket going +on.” + +“I’ll get him.” Mr. Sanborn was half way to the door. “Look after +Tunbridge, you two. Better phone for a doctor.” He was gone. + +Dorothy and Bill lifted the unconscious man on to Mrs. Lawson’s bed. +Then while young Bolton undressed him, Dorothy telephoned. She then gave +Bill a hasty account of the night’s happenings. + +“If Gretchen had only stayed put in her room, I’d have caught Martin +Lawson, anyway,” she lamented. + +“Mr. Jordan and the bunch outside will take care of that pair,” promised +Bill. “Fetch a wet towel from the bathroom. This bird is breathing +pretty hard.” + +Dorothy sped to obey, talking the while. “Not Uncle Michael!” she called +back in astonishment. + +“Yep. Uncle Michael showed up in Sanborn’s New York office this morning, +all on his own.” + +“What was he doing—wanting to turn state’s evidence and peach on his +pals?” She brought in the wet towel and laid it on Tunbridge’s hot +forehead. + +“Nothing like that, kid.” Bill was grinning. “Give another guess.” + +“Then he wasn’t really a member of that gang with the numbers?” + +“Sure he was—in good standing, too.” + +“Oh, spill it, Bill! What do you think I’m made of, anyway?” + +“Snips and snails and puppy dog’s tails,” said Bill promptly. + +“Huh! The story book says ‘little boys’ belong in that category. Come, +Bill, out with it!” + +“Well, then, cutie pie,—Uncle Michael is a secret service man.” + +“And Ashton Sanborn didn’t know it! Don’t talk rot, Bill!” + +“I’m not talking rot, Dorothy. Uncle Michael happens to be in the +British Secret Service, that’s why!” + +“Ain’t that the nerts!” exploded Miss Dixon. + +“You said it, kid! He got on to The Nameless Ones—that’s what they call +themselves—over on the other side, in Europe, you know—worked his way +into their confidence and joined up. Of course, with his government’s +sanction.” + +“And what were they up to?” + +“Out to blow up the world with Winnite, I reckon. The Lawsons were to +get two million plunks for the formula. Martie-boy was Number 1, by the +way. The whole thing was financed by the Reds.” + +“Nice people! What’s being done about it?” + +“Plenty,” returned Bill. “Mr. Jordan brought in the goods—letters, +confidential papers of the organization, and that kind of thing. All the +ringleaders, both in this country and abroad, have been apprehended and +jailed by this time.” + +“Except,” she suggested, “the du Vals, alias Lawson.” + +“That’s right! Let’s go downstairs and find out about them. Nothing more +can be done for Tunbridge until that doctor shows up. He’s had hard luck +all the way round this evening. The Lawsons fooled him nicely about the +time—and then this crack on the nut into the bargain!” + +“What do you mean—about the time?” + +“Why, he overheard the fair Laura telling her hubby that they would +vamoose at two this morning, and that she would nab the formula just +before leaving. That’s why Tunbridge specified midnight. He thought that +two hours leeway would have been plenty of time for you.” + +“I ’spose they suspected him then, and were just giving him the razz?” + +Bill nodded. “Q.E.D., old girl. You’re learning, aren’t you?” + +Dorothy made a face at him and pushed him out of the room. “By the way,” +continued Bill, as they entered the corridor, “I wonder if Mrs. Lawson +got the paper away from Professor?” + +“She did not!” declared Dorothy. “Look!” + +They paused on the stairs to view the scene below in the entrance hall. +Groups of frightened servants whispered among themselves and here and +there a strange man was posted, with somewhat of an air of grim +watchfulness. Crouched on the hearth and chewing up the last shreds of +some white substance was the puppy. + +“The end of a perfect formula,” declared Bill. “You’d better call the +pup Winnite. He’s full of it by this time. Lucky you made the copy, +Dorothy.” + +“It certainly is!” A voice spoke behind them and they turned to see +Ashton Sanborn descending the broad stair. “Doctor Winn tells me the +passageway from the Lawson woman’s room comes out into the sunken +gardens a quarter of a mile from the house. And I distinctly heard the +whirr of an airplane just now from his open window. They’ve made their +getaway in fine style by this time.” + +“Well—” Dorothy breathed a deep sigh. “I can’t help being glad of it.” + +Bill stared at her. “Well!” he mimicked. “I must say you have +astonishing reactions!” + +“What’s the matter, my dear?” asked Mr. Sanborn. “You’ve done brilliant +work on this case, and then, you know, you’ve saved Winnite.” + +Dorothy was not impressed. “That’s just it,” she retorted. “If I wasn’t +a government servant for the time being, I’d destroy the copy of that +terrible formula myself. As it is, I’ve got to turn it over to you!” + +Ashton Sanborn laid a fatherly hand on her shoulder. “Fortunes of war, +Dorothy. Sorry, but you must, you know.” + +“Oh, I know!” She took the sheet of paper from her slipper and handed it +to him. “And that,” she announced grimly, “spoils all the fun on this +racket.” + + + + + Chapter XVIII + + THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT + + +Christmas eve was, as Dorothy had predicted, a starry night of frost and +blanketing snow. Red candles twinkled in every holly-wreathed window of +the Dixon home, and a large fir tree before the house glittered with +colored Christmas lights. + +If old Saint Nick had peeped into the dining room windows, he would have +seen a merry company standing round the dinner table, gay with the +crimson-berried holly and waxy mistletoe. At the head of the table stood +Dorothy, appropriately and becomingly dressed in ruby-red velvet. On her +right there was an empty place, and beyond it, old Doctor Winn, a +boutonniere of holly in the lapel of his dinner coat; Mr. Bolton, Bill’s +father, was next down the table, and just beyond stood Ashton Sanborn. +Facing Dorothy at the other end, her father chatted with a bright-eyed +Gretchen, who had Bill on her right. Next to Bill came Doctor Winn’s +ex-butler, John Tunbridge, looking none the worse for his part in the +mixup of the fatal night. Beyond Tunbridge stood Dorothy’s Uncle +Michael, and then another empty chair. + +“Just a moment, Dorothy,” said her father as she was about to sit down. +“We’ve a surprise for you.” + +“Oh, are there more people coming?” She indicated the extra places to +her right and left. “I thought our party was as nearly complete as +possible. Of course it would have been swell if Janet and Howard could +have been with us.” + +“Dum—dum—de dum!” hummed Bill, beating time with his hand like an +orchestra conductor. From the drawing room a piano crashed into the +opening chords of Wagner’s beautiful wedding march. + +“Here Comes the Bride ...” sang the guests at table, and Dorothy’s heart +skipped a beat. + +Through the curtained doorway, walked a blushing girl, leaning on the +arm of a tall young man. She wore a bridal gown of white satin, and her +smiling face, below the draped tulle veil, was the exact counterpart of +the astonished girl at the head of the table. + +“Janet! Howard!” Dorothy ran to them and was caught in her cousin’s +arms. “Where under the sun did you come from? I thought you sailed for +South America last week!” + +“That,” said Howard, grinning broadly, “is a surprise that Mr. Sanborn +sprang on us the day after we were married. He persuaded me to give up +the South American job and got me a much better one with Mr. Bolton.” + +“Meet Mr. Howard Bright, the new manager of my Bridgeport plant,” cried +Bill’s father, and everyone clapped. + +“Why, that’s marvelous!” exclaimed Dorothy. “It’s only an hour’s drive +over there from New Canaan. We’ll be able to see a lot of each other, +Janet.” + +Then Uncle Michael, looking very happy and proud, kissed his daughter +and led her to the chair between his place and Dorothy’s. + +“Daddy gave me the wedding dress,” whispered Janet. “It’s a little bit +late for it, but he insisted.” + +“You look simply darling,” began her cousin, then stopped. Doctor Winn, +who had pushed in her chair, was addressing the company. + +“Ladies, and gentlemen,” he said, “before we start on the Christmas +cheer which our little hostess and her father have so graciously +provided, I would like to propose a toast or two, and may I ask you to +stand again while you drink them with me?” He held up his glass of +golden cider. “First, let us drink long life and great happiness to our +charming bride, Mrs. Howard Bright, and her gallant husband!” + +The company drank the toast enthusiastically. Then Uncle Abe, the +Dixon’s darkey butler, better known to some of Dorothy’s friends as “Ol’ +Man River,” grinning from one black ear to the other, laid small leather +jewel cases before Janet and Howard. + +“Just a little Christmas gift, my children,” explained Doctor Winn. + +“Oh, may we open them now?” asked Janet eagerly. + +“You most certainly may, my dear.” + +They snapped open the lids and the company leaned forward to get a +better view of the contents. + +“I don’t know how to thank you, Doctor Winn,” began Howard, fingering +his handsome gold repeater and chain. + +“Nor I—why—my goodness! I never thought I’d have a string of real +pearls. They are simply too exquisite for words!” + +Doctor Winn laughed and held up a protesting hand. “I’m sure I’m glad +you like them, but guests are requested not to embarrass the speaker. +Now, I have another toast to propose; and this time we will drink a very +Merry Christmas, long life and great happiness to Miss Margaret Schmidt, +my new companion-housekeeper!” + +Gretchen was overwhelmed and blushed furiously. Uncle Abe placed another +jewel case before her, which she opened and found therein a pearl +necklace, the counterpart of Janet’s. All she could do was to sit and +gaze at it with her wide open china-blue eyes. Mr. Dixon raised the +necklace, slipped it over the embarrassed girl’s head, and nodded to the +old gentleman. + +Doctor Winn took the hint and turned the attention of the table guests +to himself. “Third and last, but not in any way the least,” he said, “we +will drink to the heroine of the already famous case of the Double +Cousins. Ladies and gentlemen, I pledge you Dorothy Dixon—whose bravery +and loyalty to her country gained the nation’s thanks through its +mouthpiece, our President in Washington this week. A very Merry +Christmas, my dear, long life and great happiness to you and to our +friend Professor, alias Winnite! By the way, where is the pup? I have a +little remembrance for him, too.” + +“He’s right here beside me, asleep in his basket, Doctor Winn.” Dorothy +picked up the yawning pup and sat him on her lap. + +The old gentleman took a slightly larger morocco case out of his pocket, +this time, and laid it on the white cloth before her. With a smile of +thanks, she pressed the spring and disclosed, lying on a velvet pad, a +double string of gleaming pink pearls. She looked at him, speechless +with pleasure, then down again at the necklace. As she did so, she +started, for beneath the pearls lay an envelope. + +She picked it up and drew forth a paper—“Why! why, it’s my copy of the +Winnite formula!” she cried. + +“The only existing copy, my dear, which I hereby present to your puppy.” + +“But, Doctor Winn, I don’t understand!” + +“My terms to the government were that Winnite should be used for +national defense alone,” he said solemnly. “Washington would not agree. +Therefore I wish the formula destroyed.” + +“Oh, what a darling you are!” Dorothy leaned over and kissed him. “But +let’s not give it to Professor this time, please. The last one made him +horribly sick.” + +She held the paper over a lighted candle and watched Winnite burn to +charred ash. “I certainly am the happiest girl in the world tonight—but +there is just one more toast I’d like to propose before we commence +dinner. Here’s a long life and a Merry Christmas to Mr. and Mrs. Martin +Lawson—if it hadn’t been for them, think of all the fun we’d have +missed!” + + THE END + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dorothy Dixon and the Double Cousin, by +Dorothy Wayne + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DOROTHY DIXON, DOUBLE COUSIN *** + +***** This file should be named 44670-0.txt or 44670-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/4/4/6/7/44670/ + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Dorothy Dixon and the Double Cousin + +Author: Dorothy Wayne + +Release Date: January 15, 2014 [EBook #44670] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DOROTHY DIXON, DOUBLE COUSIN *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + DOROTHY DIXON + + and the Double Cousin + + BY + + Dorothy Wayne + + Author of + Dorothy Dixon Solves the Conway Case + Dorothy Dixon and The Mystery Plane + Dorothy Dixon Wins Her Wings + + THE GOLDSMITH PUBLISHING COMPANY + CHICAGO + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + Copyright, 1933 + + The Goldsmith Publishing Company + MADE IN U.S.A. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + To + Dorothea Hetty Gutmann + + a New Canaan schoolgirl, who + loves our beautiful Ridge + Country, and whose fox terrier, + Professor, really ate the dictionary! + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + CONTENTS + + I The Encounter 15 + II "Family Affairs" 27 + III The Sleepwalker 39 + IV Meet Flash! 55 + V On Secret Service 67 + VI Who's Who? 79 + VII Playing a Part 91 + VIII "Walk Into My Parlor" 104 + IX In the Night 116 + X Surprises 127 + XI Gretchen 142 + XII Tests 156 + XIII Winnite 168 + XIV Professor 179 + XV Tea and Orders 199 + XVI Caught in the Act 212 + XVII Professor Makes Good 228 + XVIII The Christmas Spirit 246 + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + DOROTHY DIXON AND THE DOUBLE COUSIN + + Chapter I + + THE ENCOUNTER + + +"Why--good heavens, girl! How in the world did you escape?" + +Dorothy Dixon heard the low, eager whisper at her elbow but disregarded +it. She was intent on selecting a tie from the colorful rack on the +counter before her. She spoke to the clerk: + +"I'll take this one, and that'll make four. I hope Daddy will approve my +taste in Christmas presents," she smiled, and laid a bill on her +purchases. + +"But--please, dear, tell me! Don't you know I'm worried crazy? Who let +you out?" + +This time Dorothy felt a touch on her arm. She wheeled quickly to face a +tall, slender young fellow of twenty-two or three. As she stared at him, +half indignant, half wondering, she saw sincere distress in his brown +eyes, and in the lines of his pleasant face. Hat in hand, he waited +anxiously for an answer to his question, while the crowd of holiday +shoppers poured through the aisles about them. + +Dorothy's eyes softened, then danced. "It seems to me," she said, "that +you have the wires twisted--it's not I who've escaped, but you! Run +along now and find your keeper. You're evidently in need of one!" + +"Your change and package, miss," the impersonal voice of the +haberdashery clerk intervened and Dorothy turned back to the counter. + +"But why on earth are you acting this way, Janet?" The strange young man +was at her elbow again. + +Once more Dorothy turned swiftly toward him but when she spoke her eyes +and voice were serious. "Do you really mean to say you think you're +speaking to Janet Jordan? Because--" + +"My dear--what are you trying to tell me?" He broke in impatiently. "I +certainly ought to know the girl I'm going to marry!" + +Dorothy nodded slowly. "I agree with you--you ought to--but then, you +see, you _don't_!" + +The young man crushed his soft felt hat in his hands and took a step +nearer to her. "Look here--what _is_ the matter with you? I know you've +been through a lot, but--" He broke off abruptly, a gleam of horror and +suspicion in his honest eyes. "Janet! What have they done to you?" + +Dorothy laid a firm hand on his arm. "Sh! Be quiet--listen to me." Then +she added gently--"I am _not_ Janet Jordan, your fiancee." + +"You're not--!" + +"No. My name is Dorothy Dixon--and I'm Janet's first cousin." + +The young man seemed flabbergasted for a moment. Then he +stammered--"Wh-why, it's astounding--the resemblance, I mean! You're +alike as--as two peas. If you were twins--" + +"But you see," she smiled, "our mothers, Janet's and mine, _were_ twins, +and I guess that accounts for it. I've never seen Janet, but this is the +third time, just recently, that I've been taken for her by her friends, +Mr.--?" + +"My name is Bright," he supplied. "Howard Bright. Yes, now I can see a +slight difference, Miss Dixon. You're a bit taller and broader across +the shoulders than she is. But it's your personalities, more than +anything else, that are altogether unlike. I hope you'll forgive me, +Miss Dixon, for making a nuisance of myself!" + +"No indeed--that is, of course I will!" Dorothy laughed merrily. "You're +not a nuisance, you know, but," and her tone became grave, "I can see +that you're in trouble. Is there--" she hesitated. + +"Not I, Miss Dixon--that is, not directly. But," he lowered his voice, +"Janet is--is in very serious trouble. And for a moment, when I saw you, +I thought that in some miraculous way she had escaped." + +Howard Bright's face suddenly became almost haggard and Dorothy's +sympathy and concern for her cousin deepened into resolve. + +"Look here, Mr. Bright," she said abruptly, "we can't talk here, in this +shopping crowd, it's a regular football scrimmage. Let's go up to the +mezzanine. A friend of mine is waiting there for me now, I'm a little +late as it is, and--" + +"But I can't bother _you_ with this," he protested, "and especially--" + +"Oh, come along," she urged, "Bill is a grand guy when it comes to +getting people out of messes. I insist you tell us all about it. After +all, Janet's my cousin, you know, and you'll soon be a member of the +family, won't you?" + +"There doesn't seem much hope of that now." Young Bright's tone was +despondent. "But Janet certainly does need help, and she needs it +badly--so--" + +Dorothy caught his arm. "I'm going to call you Howard," she announced +briskly. "So please drop the Miss Dixon. And come on--let's push our way +over to the elevators." + +The mezzanine floor of the department store was arranged as a lounge or +waiting room for customers. Comfortable arm chairs and divans invited +tired shoppers to rest. Writing desks and tables strewn with current +magazines gave the place a club-like appearance. + +Dorothy and her newly found acquaintance stepped out of the elevator and +looked about. The place seemed especially quiet after the rush and +bustle on other floors, and was almost deserted, save for two elderly +ladies conversing in low tones near a window, and a young man, who rose +at their approach. + +As the good looking youth moved toward them with the lithe, easy grace +of a trained athlete, Howard Bright saw that he had light brown hair, +and blue eyes snapping with vitality and cheerfulness. + +"Hello, Dorothy!" He greeted her smilingly, "better late than never, if +you don't mind my saying so. I'd just about figured you were going to +pass up our date." + +"Sorry, Colonel," she mocked. "Explanations are in order I guess, but +they can wait. This is Howard Bright, Bill--Howard, Mr. Bolton!" + +The two young men shook hands. + +"Bolton--Dixon?" Howard's tone was thoughtful. "Why!" he exclaimed +suddenly. "You two are the flyers--the pair who won the endurance test +with the Conway motor! I'm certainly glad to meet you both. The papers +have been full of your doings. Well, this is a surprise! But you know, +I'd got the impression that you were both older--" + +"I'm sixteen," smiled Dorothy. "Bill has me beat by a year." + +"How about lunch?" suggested Bill. He invariably changed the subject +when his exploits were mentioned. People always enthused so, it +embarrassed him. "You'll join us, of course, Mr. Bright?" + +"Thanks, Mr. Bolton. I really don't think I can butt in this way--" + +"There's no butting in about it," Dorothy interrupted. "Howard is +engaged to my cousin, Janet Jordan, Bill. And Janet's in a lot of +trouble. I've promised we'd do everything we can to help." + +Bill, after one look at Howard's worried face, sized up the situation +instantly. "Why, of course," he said. "And we can't talk with any +privacy in this place. I can see that whatever the trouble is, it's +serious." + +"Janet's in desperate peril," Howard said huskily. + +"You said something about her escape when we met," Dorothy reminded him. +"Has somebody kidnapped her? Have you any idea where she is?" + +"Yes, she's a prisoner. A prisoner in the Jordans' apartment on West +93rd Street." + +"Then her father is away?" + +"No. He leaves tonight, I believe." + +"But, my goodness!--a girl can't be kidnapped and made a prisoner in her +own home. Especially if her father is there. It doesn't sound possible." + +"I know it doesn't," admitted Howard desperately, "it sounds crazy. But +it's the truth, just the same. She's in frightful danger." + +Dorothy looked horrified. "You mean that my uncle and Janet don't get on +together--that they've had a row and you're afraid he will harm her?" + +"Oh, no, they're very fond of each other." + +"Then Uncle Michael is a prisoner, too!" + +"No, he is free enough himself, but he can do nothing--it would only +make matters worse." + +"Well!" declared Dorothy, "I don't think much of Uncle Michael if he +can't protect his own daughter." + +Bill stepped into the breach. + +"What about the police--can't you call them in?" + +Howard Bright shook his head. "They would only bring this horrible +business to a climax," he explained. "And that is exactly what must not +be done. It is more a matter for Secret Service investigation--but I +don't think that even they could be of any real help." + +Bill and Dorothy exchanged a quick glance. + +"Have you ever heard of a man named Ashton Sanborn, Mr. Bright?" + +"Yes, I have, Mr. Bolton. Wasn't he the detective who helped you unearth +that fiendish scheme of old Professor Fanely?"[1] + +"Bull's eye!" grinned Bill. "Only Ashton Sanborn is quite a lot more +than a mere detective. And it so happens that he is over at the Waldorf +right now, waiting for Dorothy and me to lunch with him. Let me tell +you, Bright, it's a mighty lucky thing for Janet Jordan that he is in +town. Come along. We'll hop a taxi and be with him in ten minutes." + +Howard hung back. "But really--" + +Dorothy caught his arm. "Don't be silly, now," she urged. + +"But I can't call in a detective, Dorothy. I know I'm rotten at +explaining, but if these devils who have Janet in their power are +interfered with they will kill her out of hand!" + +"But you spoke of the Secret Service just now. This is not for +publication, but Mr. Sanborn is the head of that branch of the +government. If anyone _can_ help Janet, he can do it." + +"I doubt it. I admit I'm half crazy with worry, but Janet is going to be +removed from the apartment tonight, and heaven only knows what will +happen then. It takes days, generally weeks, to get the government +started on anything." + +"Not Sanborn's branch of it," interrupted Bill. "We're talking in +circles, Bright. If Sanborn can't help Janet, he'll tell you so. At +least you can give him the dope and find out. He's an expert and you'll +get expert advice." + +"All right, I'll go with you. But I'm afraid it won't do any good. +Please don't think, though, that I'm not appreciating the interest +you're taking. I don't mean to be a wet blanket." + +"Of course you don't, and you're not." Dorothy led toward the staircase. +"You'll feel a whole lot better when you get the story off your chest." + +"And when you've got outside a good substantial lunch," added Bill. "I +know I shall, anyway." + +"That," said Dorothy, "is just like a boy. I believe you'd eat a good +meal, Bill, an hour before you were hung, if it were offered to you." + +"I'd be hanged if I didn't," he laughed and followed her down the steps +onto the main floor. + +----- + +Footnote 1: + + See Bill Bolton and The Winged Cartwheels. + + + + + Chapter II + + "FAMILY AFFAIRS" + + +"Just--one--moment, please!" Ashton Sanborn's keen blue eyes twinkled as +he surveyed his young guests. His heavy-set body moved with a muscular +grace as he placed a chair for Dorothy and motioned the two boys to +seats on a divan nearby. "Now then, Dorothy and Bill--I want you two +chatterboxes to keep quiet while I ask Mr. Bright some questions and get +this matter straight in my own head. Your turn to talk will come later." +His quizzical smile robbed the words of any harshness, and the culprits +grinned and nodded their willingness to comply with his request. + +"Mr. Bright," he went on, "if you'll just answer my questions for the +present, I'll get you to tell the story from the beginning in a few +minutes." + +"It's mighty decent of you to take all this interest, Mr. Sanborn." + +The Secret Service Man shook his prematurely grey head--"It's my +business to ferret things out. Now, as I understand it, you mistook +Dorothy for her cousin, Miss Jordan, to whom you are engaged. The +likeness must be amazing?" + +"It is, sir." + +"Yes--well, we'll get back to the likeness after a while. You say that +Miss Jordan is a prisoner in her father's apartment, and is in danger of +her life?" + +"Yes, sir." Howard, tense and taut as a fiddle string, his hands +gripping the edge of the cushioned couch, gazed steadily back at his +questioner. + +"Do you know for certain that she is in actual danger at the present +moment, Bright?" Ashton Sanborn's quiet tone and unhurried manner of +speaking was gradually gaining the young man's confidence. Bill and +Dorothy noticed that Howard's strained look was beginning to disappear, +and he had started to relax. + +"She has been in great danger," he replied, "but now, they've decided to +test her. There isn't a chance, though, that she will pass the test, Mr. +Sanborn. The poor girl is so worn out and nervous she's bound to fail." + +"Do you know what time she is to be taken away from the apartment?" + +"Yes, sir. Lawson told her to pack her clothes today, so as to be ready +to leave at midnight." + +"Mmm!" Sanborn glanced at his watch. "It is now one-thirty. That gives +us exactly eleven and a half hours in which to get her out of their +hands. Now just one question more, Mr. Bright. What made you say that +this is a matter in which the so-called Secret Service of the United +States should be called in, rather than the police?" + +"Well," Howard's brows knit in a puzzled frown, "you see, Janet is being +taken to Dr. Tyson Winn's house near Ridgefield, Connecticut, tonight. +As I understand it, Dr. Winn has a big laboratory up there where he is +experimenting on high explosives for the government. Lawson, the man who +told Janet she was to go there, is Dr. Winn's secretary. It all looks so +queer to me--I thought--" + +"That _is_ interesting!" Ashton Sanborn's tone was serious and for a +little while he seemed lost in thought. Then abruptly he looked up from +an inspection of his finger tips, and rose from his chair. "I ordered +lunch for three before you young people arrived," he said with a return +of his cheerful, hearty way of speaking. "Now I'll phone down and have +lunch for four served up here instead." He looked at Dorothy. "By the +way, the menu calls for oyster cocktails, sweetbreads on grilled +mushrooms, O'Brien potatoes, alligator pear salad, and cafe parfait--any +suggestions?" + +"Oh, aren't you a dear!" Dorothy, who had been using a miniature powder +puff on her nose, snapped shut the cover of her compact. "You have +ordered all the things I like best. No wonder you're a great +detective--you never forget a single thing, no matter what it is." + +Sanborn laughed. "Thanks for the compliment--but those dishes happen to +be favorites of my own, too. Now get that brain of yours working, +Dorothy. When I've finished with the head waiter, I want you to tell us +all you know about your uncle and cousin. Before we can go further I +must have every possible detail of the case at my fingers' ends." + +He took up a phone from a small table near the window, and Dorothy +turned toward Howard. + +"You probably know more about the Jordans than I do," she said. "I have +a picture of Janet that she sent me a couple of years ago. We always +exchange presents at Christmas--but we've never seen each other." + +"I really know very little about the Jordans, myself," protested Howard. +"You see, Janet and I saw each other for the first time just five weeks +ago. It was on a Sunday afternoon, I'd been taking a walk in Central +Park, when one of those equinoctial downpours came on very suddenly. +Janet was right ahead of me, so naturally, I offered her my umbrella. +She's--well, rather shy and retiring, and at first she wasn't so keen on +accepting--" + +"So there _is_ a difference between the cousins!" Bill winked at Howard. +"If it had been Dorothy, she'd have taken your overcoat and rubbers as +well. Nothing shy or retiring about Janet's double!" + +"Is that so, Mr. Smarty! It's a good thing Howard met her that rainy +Sunday. If it had been you, Bill, the poor girl would certainly have got +a soaking!" + +"You mean she wouldn't have accepted my umbrella?" + +"I _mean_ you never would have offered it!" + +"You win--one up, Dorothy," said Ashton Sanborn when the laughter at +this sally had subsided. "What happened after you and Janet got under +your umbrella, Bright?" + +"Oh, nothing much. We walked over to Central Park West but there were no +taxis to be had for love or money. So then I suggested taking her home +and we found we lived in the same apartment house. I asked if I might +call, but she said that was impossible--that Mr. Jordan permitted no +callers." + +"Well," said Dorothy, "that didn't seem to stop you. I mean you are a +pretty fast worker, Howard, to get engaged with a tyrant father guarding +the doorstep and all that." + +"Cut it out, Dot," broke in Bill, who had been waiting patiently for a +chance to get even. "You can't be in the center of the stage all the +time, and your remarks are out of order, anyway." + +"I'll dot you one, if you take my name in vain, young man!" + +"Silence, woman! Go ahead, Howard, and speak your piece, or she'll jump +in with both feet next time." + +Dorothy said nothing but the glance she shot Bill Bolton was a promise +of dire things to come. + +"Oh, I don't mind," grinned Howard, and Dorothy immediately put him down +as a good sport. "Well, to go on with it--we used to meet in the lobby, +go for walks and bus rides, sometimes to the movies or a matinee. Two +weeks ago, Janet, who is just eighteen, by the way, said she would marry +me. She seemed to have no friends in New York. I've seen her father, but +never met him. Except for this horrible business, which came up a few +days ago, all that I know about Janet is that her mother died when she +was five, her father parked her at a boarding-school near Chicago, and +she stayed there until last June when she graduated. Her summer holidays +were spent at a girls' camp in Wisconsin. She was never allowed to visit +the homes of the other girls, so Christmas and Easter holidays she +stayed in the school. During her entire schooling, she saw her father +only five times. Last summer he took her abroad with him. They travelled +in Germany and in Russia, I believe." + +"Gosh, what a life for a girl!" exploded Bill. + +"I should say so!" Dorothy made no attempt to hide her disgust. "The +more I hear about Uncle Michael, the less I care about him." + +"Tell us what you do know about him," prompted Sanborn. "I want to get +all the background possible before Bright explains the girl's present +predicament. I know a good deal about Dr. Winn and his secretary. If +those men are threatening her, there must be something very serious +brewing. Go ahead, Dorothy--luncheon will be up here any minute, now." + +"All right, but I warn you it isn't much. My mother, who as you know +died when I was a little girl, had one sister, my Aunt Edith, who was +her twin. They looked so much alike that their own father and mother had +trouble in telling them apart. Aunt Edith fell in love with a young +Irishman named Michael Jordan, whom she met at a dance. He seemed +prosperous, and my grandfather gave his consent to their engagement. +Then he learned that Michael Jordan made his money by selling arms and +ammunition to South and Central American revolutionists. Grandpa, from +all accounts, hit the ceiling. He was a deacon of the church, very +sedate and all that, and he said he wouldn't allow his daughter to marry +a gun-runner. And that was that. To make a long story short, Aunt Edith +ran away with Michael Jordan. They were married in New York, sent +Grandpa a copy of the marriage certificate, and then sailed for South +America. For several years there was no word from them at all. My +mother, whose name was Janet, by the way, loved Aunt Edith as only a +twin can love the other. But she couldn't write to her because the +eloping couple had left no address. Six years later, mother had a letter +from Uncle Michael. He was in Chicago then, and he wrote that Aunt Edith +had died, and that he had placed little Janet at the Pence School in +Evanston. Mother and Daddy went right out to Chicago, to see Uncle +Michael. They tried to get him to let them take Janet home with them, +and bring her up with me. I was only three at the time, so naturally I +don't remember anything about it. But what I'm telling you Daddy told to +me years later. Well, their trip to Chicago was all for nothing--Uncle +Michael refused to let them have Janet. It almost broke my mother's +heart. Well, and that is the reason Janet and I have always given each +other presents at Christmas and on our birthdays, although we've never +even met. Two years ago, she sent me her photograph, and both Daddy and +I were astounded to see the resemblance to me. Twice, since then, I've +been taken for Janet by girls who were at school with her at Evanston. +Perhaps, if we were seen together, you'd be able to tell us apart--I +don't know." + +"I do, though," declared Howard, "you may be slightly broader across the +shoulders, Dorothy, but otherwise you might be Janet, sitting there. +You've the same brown hair, grey eyes, your features are alike--" + +"How about our voices?" + +"Exactly the same. You have a more forceful way of speaking, that's all. +I keep wanting to call you 'Janet' all the time." Howard turned his head +away, and Dorothy could see the emotion that again overtook him as he +thought of his helpless little fiancee, a prisoner in the hands of +unscrupulous men. + +She glanced at Bill, and shook her head in sympathy. Just then there +came a knock on the sitting room door. + +"Ah! lunch at last!" Ashton Sanborn rose and put his hand on Howard's +shoulder. "Come, no more of this now. The subject of the double cousins +is taboo until we've all done justice to this excellent meal!" + + + + + Chapter III + + THE SLEEPWALKER + + +"Mr. Sanborn," said Dorothy, "when you're tired of fathoming mysteries +for people, come out to New Canaan and help me order meals. That was the +most scrumptious lunch I've had in a month of Sundays." She dropped a +lump of sugar in her demitasse and threw her host a bright smile across +the table. + +"Thank you, my dear," the detective smiled back. "I may take you up on +that one of these days. But speaking of mysteries reminds me that now +the waiter is gone, it's high time we busied ourselves again with the +affairs of Janet Jordan. Now that I understand something of the young +lady's background and her family, I want to hear all there is to tell +about her present position." He pulled a briar pipe and tobacco pouch +out of his pocket and commenced to fill the one with the contents of the +other. "All ready, Howard. Start at the beginning and don't skimp on +details--they may be and they generally are important." + +"Very well, sir. I'll begin with a week ago today." Howard pushed his +chair away from the table, thrust his hands into trouser pockets and +jumped into his story. "Janet had a date to meet me last Thursday at +two p. m. at the Strand. We intended to take in a movie--but she never +showed up." + +"Then you aren't a business man--?" This from the detective. + +"Oh, but I am--a mining engineer, Mr. Sanborn. With the Tuthill +Corporation. But I am free on Thursday afternoons, instead of Saturday. +It is more convenient for the office staff." + +"Hasn't your concern large mining concessions in Peru?" + +"It has, sir--silver mines. To make matters worse--but no--I'll tell it +this way. I particularly wanted to meet Janet last Thursday, because I +had been told the day before by the head of our New York office that I +was to be transferred to Lima, Peru. The boat that I'm scheduled to sail +on, leaves this coming Saturday. I was fearfully pepped up about it. I'm +going down there as assistant manager of our Lima office, the job +carries a considerable increase in salary, and, if I make good, a fine +future with the firm. My plan was to get Janet to marry me, with or +without her father's consent, and to take her to Lima with me. I +couldn't bear to think of leaving her to the kind of existence she'd had +before I'd known her--and with no way of correspondence--Well, I waited +for over an hour in the lobby of the theatre but she didn't come. At +last I went up to my apartment." + +"Why didn't you phone her?" asked Dorothy, who was nothing if not +direct. + +"Because Janet had asked me never to do that. She said if her father +knew she had a boy friend, he'd pack her off somewhere, and we'd never +be able to meet again." + +"Nice papa--I don't think!" observed Bill Bolton. + +"No comments now, please," said Sanborn. "Go on, Howard. If you couldn't +talk to Janet, how did you find out that she was a prisoner?" + +Howard smiled. "But we _were_ able to talk to each other, Mr. Sanborn. +About the time we became engaged, I fixed that. My small flat is on the +ninth floor of the building, the Jordans' on the seventh. My three rooms +have windows on an air shaft. The Jordans' back bedroom and bath +overlook the same airshaft and are directly opposite my sitting room, +two flights below. The shaft is only twenty feet wide, so I bought one +of those headphone sets that are used in airplanes for conversation +between the cockpits of a plane while it is being flown. I lengthened +the wires of course, and got a long, collapsible pole. After dark, Janet +would come to her window, I'd pass her headphone set down to her, hooked +on to the end of the pole, and we would hold long conversations across +the court without anybody being the wiser. When we were through talking, +I'd pass the pole over to her and draw it back when she'd attached her +headset." + +"By Jingoes!" cried Bill. "I'll say that's clever!" + +"It sure is, Howard!" Dorothy was quite as enthusiastic. "You certainly +deserve to get Janet after that." + +Howard shook his head. "We'll have to do something really clever to get +her away from the bunch who are holding her prisoner. Well,--as I say, +when I got to my flat, I sat down by my sitting room window, and +pretended to read a book. In reality, of course, I was watching Janet's +window. Presently she appeared. Even at that distance, I could see that +she had been crying. She held up a slate, for we never dared to use the +headphones in the day time, and slates are a good medium for short +messages. On it she had written, '_After dark._' Well, that was one of +the longest afternoons I'd ever put in. About five-thirty, she came back +to her window and I passed over the headgear. When I heard her story, I +went half crazy, and I guess I've been pretty much that way ever since. + +"You see, Mr. Sanborn, Janet has told me that occasionally she walks in +her sleep, especially when she isn't feeling very well. The evening +before, that was a week ago Wednesday night, she had a headache and went +to bed early. When she awoke, she was terrified to find herself seated +on the floor of their living room, behind a large Chinese screen. There +seemed to be seven or eight men in the room, including her father. Of +course, she could not see them, but she could hear every word they said. +By the clock on the wall above her head, she saw that it was one in the +morning. She soon realized that this was a meeting of the heads of some +large society or organization and that these men had come there from all +parts of the world. There was an air of mystery about them and their +talk. No names were mentioned but they addressed each other by number. +Mr. Jordan was Number 5; Number 2, who spoke with a foreign accent, was +evidently conducting the meeting, in place of the absent Number 1, whom +they all seemed to hold in great awe. Janet realized that she must have +entered the room before the meeting started, while she was still asleep. +She saw that so long as the meeting lasted, there would be no way of +escape. Gradually she became terrified at her predicament, and--" + +"Just a moment," interrupted Ashton Sanborn. "Has Janet ever told you +anything of her father's business?" + +"She really knows nothing about it, Mr. Sanborn. I asked her myself some +time ago, and she said then, except that he seemed to travel a lot, she +hadn't the slightest idea what he did for a living. Once when she asked +him outright what is was, Mr. Jordan flew into a rage. He said it was +his own affair, and that so long as it brought them in enough money to +live comfortably, he did not wish her to bring up the matter again. The +one thing she does know is that he doesn't go regularly to an office. +Men frequently come to see him at the apartment, but their conversations +are invariably held behind locked doors." + +"I see. Go on now, with Janet and the meeting." + +"Well, sir, as I've said, she was behind that screen, listening to what +the men said--and in fact, she couldn't help listening. Not that she +understood much of what they were saying. Number 2 made a long speech +and the gist of it was that now they were agreed upon the use of Formula +X, the demonstration (whatever that was) must be made in their +respective sectors at the same time on the same day. He also proposed +that Number 5 (Janet's father) interview Number 1 and learn from him +when the demonstrations should be made. This motion was carried +unanimously. Then Number 3 asked the chairman if they could not in +future hold their meeting in some safer place than the Jordans' +apartment. 'For all we know,' he said, 'someone may be secreted behind +that screen!' Mr. Jordan laughed at this, and told Number 3 to close up +the screen if it made him nervous. So the first thing Janet knew, the +screen was dragged aside and she was staring into the face of a +Chinaman. Seated in a circle behind him were the others, her father +among them." + +"Gosh!" exclaimed Dorothy. "I'll bet that scared the poor kid silly." + +"It did," admitted Howard. "She was absolutely petrified. And then there +was the dickens to pay. All the men started talking at once. The +Chinaman pulled a revolver and pointed it straight at her, yelling that +she had heard their secrets and must be immediately executed!" + +"'She has heard nothing!' her father told them. 'She frequently walks in +her sleep. She was asleep when she wandered in here before the meeting, +and she is sleeping now--look!' Then he lit a match and held the flame +before Janet's eyes. 'You see,' he said, 'she doesn't even blink. Janet +has heard nothing, gentlemen.'" + +"Of course Janet had taken her father's hint, and followed it. She knew +that he was doing the only thing he could to save her life, so she kept +right on staring in front of her without moving, while the Chinaman held +the automatic within a foot of her head. But the strain she was under +nearly broke her nerve. She knew that the slightest sign on her part +that she was conscious would mean a bullet through her brain. A furious +argument followed. Most of the men--there were eight of them including +Mr. Jordan--wanted her put out of the way at once. But at last, her +father and Number 2, a big man with a long beard who seemed to be more +humane than the rest, prevailed upon them to let him lead her back to +her bed. Her father was forbidden to hold any intercourse with her +whatsoever. She was locked in her bedroom, afraid even to cry, for fear +she would be heard, and not knowing what moment the door would open and +they would drag her to her death." + +"Horrible!" Mr. Sanborn's pipe had gone out but he didn't seem to notice +it. "That experience was enough to unhinge a person's mind. Janet may be +shy and retiring, but she evidently doesn't lack grit. By the way, did +she say she recognized any of the men at the meeting?" + +"No. She said that without exception she was sure she'd never seen any +of them before, although they were all on good terms with her father. +Each one seemed to be of a different nationality. One was a black man +who wore a turban--an East Indian, probably. Another, also pretty dark, +wore a red fez. The others were apparently Europeans, but as they all +spoke English together she had no way of guessing what they were. Number +2, the man with the long brown beard, she thought might be a +Scandinavian. She was sure, though, that her father was the only +American or Anglo-Saxon in the group." + +"Tell us what happened next morning," proposed Dorothy. Her coffee, now +cold, remained untasted in the cup. + +"I'm getting to that. At eight o'clock her door was unlocked and a +woman, a stranger to her, came into her bedroom with a breakfast tray. +She put the tray on a table and went into the bathroom and turned on the +water for Janet's bath, then left the room and locked the door after +her. At nine this same woman came back, brought some books and magazines +to her, made up the bed and put the room straight. Whenever Janet spoke +to her, she shook her head and put her finger to her lips. But Janet +said that even now she doesn't know whether the woman is actually dumb +or only acting under orders. She has brought and taken away her meals +ever since, but she has never been able to get her to speak." + +"But how did she find out about going to Dr. Winn's house?" asked Bill +Bolton, who had shown an interest quite as keen as Dorothy's or +Sanborn's. + +Howard Bright drank a glass of water. "I'm getting to that part now," he +explained. "I'm not much of a story teller and I seem to be taking an +awful time to get through this one--but I'm doing my best just the +same." + +"Of course you are!" Dorothy motioned Bill to keep quiet. "You're doing +noble, Howard! Pay no attention to that goof over there." + +"O.K., Dorothy." Howard replaced his empty glass on the table. "At about +noon of the first day of Janet's imprisonment in her room, the door was +unlocked and Mr. Lawson came in. She knew him as a friend of her +father's who had dined with them two or three times. She had always +thought him quite a jolly sort of chap and knew that he was private +secretary to Dr. Winn, the celebrated chemist. Naturally, she felt +rather relieved to see him, and she opened up on him at once. She still +felt that her only hope for life and freedom was to pretend absolute +ignorance of the happenings of the night before. And she managed to keep +up that pretense before Lawson, though what he had to do with the affair +she hadn't any idea, nor does she yet know where he comes into the +picture. Anyway, he wasn't at the meeting. She let him know, though, +that she was very indignant and astonished to find herself kept a +prisoner, and demanded to see her father. Lawson, she told me, was most +affable and kind to her. He said that she of course did not realize that +she had been very ill during the night and that she was now under +doctor's orders. He also told her that her father had been called away +on business, so he had come to her as an old friend of the family, to be +of any help that he could. Janet said that his sympathy almost +undermined her suspicion--she almost confided in him. But luckily, she +didn't. He has been to see her every day since, and she is now convinced +that his part in this devilish scheme is to gain her confidence, and to +find out whether she actually did hear or see anything at the meeting. +Yesterday he told her that it had been decided she should visit him and +his wife at Dr. Winn's house while her father is away, and that in order +to occupy her mind, she should act as secretary to Mrs. Lawson, who +assists Dr. Winn in his work." + +"Maybe they don't really mean to harm her after all," said Dorothy +hopefully. + +"Janet is certain," said Howard, "that they want her at the Doctor's for +close observation. She took a secretarial course at school, so that part +of it is all right, but I believe with her that one slip, one sign that +she is deceiving them, will mean that she will simply vanish and never +be heard of again. She knows that Lawson lied about one thing: her +father is still living in their flat. She has heard his voice several +times." + +"But what I can't understand," said Dorothy, "is why, just as soon as +you knew all this, you didn't go to the nearest police station and have +that flat raided!" + +"Because, Janet won't hear of it." Howard's tone was thoroughly +wretched. "I worked out some other plans to release her, but she refuses +to budge." + +"Is the girl crazy?" This from Bill. + +"No--she's as sane as any of us--maybe saner. She says that if the +police are called in or I help her to escape, that crew will believe her +father knew all the time that she was faking--as of course he does. And +she says she is sure they will have him killed out of hand, once they +discover that. To make matters worse, if possible, my firm thinks I'm +going to sail for Lima the day after tomorrow! If I turn them down, I'll +lose my job here and ruin my future. I've been hoping against hope that +something would turn up so Janet could sail with me. I certainly shall +not sail without her. I was buying some clothes for the trip when I ran +into you this morning--" Howard's voice trailed off hopelessly. + +"Gee!" It was evident that Dorothy was not far from tears. "You poor +dears are in an awful fix! I do wish I could help you. Do +_something_--so that you two could get married and sail for Peru!" + +"Perhaps you can." Ashton Sanborn knocked the ashes from his pipe into +an ash tray. + +"_How?_" shouted three voices simultaneously. + + + + + Chapter IV + + MEET FLASH! + + +"Dorothy, have you ever done anything in the way of amateur +theatricals?" Ashton Sanborn stroked the bowl of his pipe reflectively. + +"Why--er--yes, a little." She looked a bit bewildered. "I've been in the +Silvermine Sillies for the past two years." + +Sanborn nodded. "How is it you're out of school on a Thursday?" The +question seemed irrelevant. He was leaning back in his chair now, +surveying the ceiling rather absently, but there was nothing +lackadaisical about his crisp tones. + +"Christmas holidays. Why?" + +"Because, if you're willing, I may want you to work for me for a few +days. I suppose I can reach your father by telephone at the New Canaan +bank?" + +"No, you can't--Daddy is down in Florida on a fishing trip. He's on Mr. +Bolton's yacht, somewhere off the coast. They won't be back until +Christmas Eve." + +"That," said the Secret Service man, "complicates matters. Who, may I +ask, is looking after Miss Dixon while Mr. Dixon is away?" + +"I'm looking after my own sweet self, sir." Dorothy grinned roguishly. + +"Then who is to take the responsibility for your actions, young lady?" + +"Why, you may--if you want to!" + +For a moment or two the detective studied her thoughtfully. There was a +certain assurance about this girl's manner, a steely quality that came +sometimes into her grey eyes, an indefinable air of strength and quiet +courage-- + +"Do you think you could impersonate your cousin, Dorothy?" + +"Why--of course!" Dorothy showed her surprise. "We look exactly alike. +Didn't Howard take me for Janet?" + +"He did--but from what he has told us about her, your natures are +entirely different. Janet, from all accounts, is a rather meek and +demure young lady. Remember, that in order to convince anyone who knows +her you would have to submerge your own personality in hers. And nobody +would ever describe _you_ as a meek, demure young lady!" + +"An untamed wildcat--if you ask me," chuckled Bill. + +"Why, thanks a lot, William!" Dorothy's hearers were abruptly aware of +the changed quality of her voice as she continued to speak in melting +tones of pained acceptance. "But nobody _did_ ask you, darling, so in +future when your betters are conversing, be good enough to button up +that lip of yours!" She finished her withering tirade in the same quiet +tones and with a positively shrinking demeanor that sent the others into +shouts of laughter. + +"Say, you're Janet to a T!" cried Howard. "Her voice is always like that +if I happen to hurt her feelings." + +"How about her hair, Howard? Is it long or short?" + +"Oh, she wears it bobbed like yours." + +"I suppose," Dorothy said to Mr. Sanborn, "that you want to smuggle me +into the flat and have me change places with her?" + +"That's the idea exactly," admitted the detective. "And I don't want you +to make your decision until I explain my plan in detail--or, rather, the +necessity for the risk you will be taking." + +"Shoot--" said Miss Dixon, "but I can tell you right now, risk or no +risk, I'm going through with it. Janet, after all she's been through and +from what Howard has told us, is bound to flop once she gets to Dr. +Winn's. Nervous, and probably high strung, the chances are against her +being able to hold up under the strain." + +"I think you are right about that. But although Janet is in serious +danger, she could be rescued and her father guarded without bringing you +into the picture, Dorothy, if it were not for one thing. These men who +hold Janet in their custody are in some way mixed up with Dr. Winn, who +has undertaken to make some very important experiments for the United +States government." + +"I make a bet that he is Number 1 of the gang!" ventured Bill, the +irrepressible. + +"Very possibly. That has yet to be discovered. But what I want you young +people to realize is that this is no ordinary gang. Quite evidently we +are up against an international organization. Their treatment of Janet +is concrete evidence of their cold-blooded ruthlessness when they +believe their plans to be in jeopardy. If you take your cousin's place, +Dorothy, of course we will see that you are well guarded, but even so, +your part in clearing up this mystery will entail a very great element +of risk." + +"I'm willing to take the chance." Dorothy met his inquiring eyes +steadily. "Naturally, I'm sorry for Janet and I want to help her. The +only thing is, I've got to be back at High School by January fourth." + +"I think I can promise you that this job will be cleaned up within a +week." + +"I reckon," smiled Bill, "that you haven't told us all you know about +these lads with numbers instead of names." + +"Not quite all." Sanborn smiled back at him. "But that is neither here +nor there just now. By the way, Dorothy, how are you on shorthand and +typewriting?" + +"Oh, not so worse. It's part of the course I'm taking at New Canaan +High." + +"Good enough. Frankly, young lady, I would not consider using you, had +not the New Canaan Bank robbery, the affair of the Mystery Plane and the +Conway Case proved conclusively that you have a decided flair for this +kind of thing." + +"Thank you, sir," said Miss Dixon with mock coyness. "Them kind words is +a great comfort to a poor workin' goil. Do I pack a gat wid me, Mister?" + +"You do not. In fact, you will take nothing except what belongs to your +cousin. If I am able to get you into the Jordan flat and they carry you +up to Ridgefield in her place, just being Janet Jordan, who never woke +up when she was sleepwalking last week will be your best protection. Of +course, I'm not deserting you. Either I or some of my men will find +means of keeping in touch with you constantly." + +"And when the villains scrag me, the secret service boys will arrive on +the scene just in time--to identify the deceased! No thank you. If the +gun is out of orders, Flash will have to go. Of course my jiu jitsu may +help at a pinch, but Flash is more potent and ever so much quicker." + +"What are you talking about, Dorothy?" Ashton Sanborn looked puzzled. + +"It's a cinch you can't drag a dog along if that's your big idea," +declared Bill. + +"It is not the big idea, old thing." Dorothy grinned wickedly. "Flash +and I have got very clubby this fall. He's really quite a dear, you +know. We travel about together a lot." + +"The mystery of this age," observed Bill, "is how certain females can +talk so much and say so little." + +"Then," said Dorothy cheerfully, "I'll let you solve the mystery right +now. Catch!" She tossed him a macaroon from a plate on the table. "Go +over to that bedroom door," she commanded. "Stand to one side of the +door and throw that thing into the air." + +"But, I say, Dorothy!" interposed Ashton Sanborn. "This is no time for +fooling, we've got--" + +"This is not fooling, you dear old fuss-budget," she cut in. +"It's--well, it's just something that may save you from worrying so much +about me. Now, Bill, are you ready?" + +"Anything to please the ladies," retorted that young man wearily. He got +up and walked to the far end of the room and took his stand beside the +closed door. "Is Flash a cake hound? Will he jump for the cookie?" + +"He sure will--toss it in the air." + +The small cake went spinning toward the ceiling, and at the same instant +Dorothy's right hand disappeared under the table. With the speed of +legerdemain she brought it into view again and her arm shot out suddenly +like a signpost across the white cloth. There was a streak of silver +light--and the three male members of the quartet stared at the bedroom +door in open-mouthed wonder. Quivering in the very center of its upper +panel was a small knife, and impaled on the knife's blade was the +macaroon. + +"Meet Flash!" said Dorothy. + +"Great suffering snakes!" exploded Bill, plucking out the blade, and +examining it. "The thing's a throwing knife." + +"Six inches of razor-keen, leaf-shaped blade," said Dorothy, "and three +inches of carved ivory hilt, beautifully balanced--that's Flash. How do +you like him, fellers?" + +"You," declared Howard, who was still goggle-eyed with surprise, "you +are the most amazing girl I've ever met, Dorothy!" + +"And you don't know the half of it," said Bill with unstinted fervor. + +"Think I can take care of myself at a pinch, Uncle Sanborn?" Dorothy was +laughing at the expression of astonishment on the detective's face. + +"You win, young lady." He chuckled softly. "After this I'll keep my +worries for Doctor Winn and his friends. Who'd have thought you had +anything like that up your sleeve!" + +"Not up my sleeve, old dear. A little leather sheath strapped just above +my left knee is where Flash came from." + +"Regular Jesse James stuff, eh?" remarked Bill as he handed back the +knife. + +"Oh, yeah?" Flash disappeared as quickly as he'd come, and Dorothy stood +up. "What's on the boards, now, boss?" she asked sweetly. + +"Howard--" said Ashton Sanborn, "will you let me have the key to that +apartment of yours? Thanks. Bill and I will need it this afternoon, and +even if things go according to Hoyle, we'll be powerful busy. In the +meantime, I've got a job for you and Dorothy." He took out his +pocketbook and extracting a sheaf of bills, handed them to the girl. + +"You and Howard are going to have a busy afternoon, too. See that you're +back here in time for dinner at seven, and--" + +"But what under the sky-blue canopy is all this?" Dorothy was thumbing +the bills, counting them. "Why, I've never seen so much money--" + +"Use it to buy your cousin a trousseau. Have the things sent to Mrs. +Howard Bright's apartment at this hotel. And remember, that when she +arrives here, Janet will have nothing but the clothes she is wearing. +You don't mind doing this, do you?" + +"Mind! Why, I'll love it!" Dorothy turned a dazzling smile on Howard, +who was simply tongue-tied by the detective's announcement. "Isn't he +swell, Howard? Isn't he some guy?" + +Ashton Sanborn laughed. "Don't thank me. Uncle Sam is paying, so you +needn't bring back any change." + +Dorothy thrust the money into her purse. "Don't worry, old bean, I +won't. So long, you two. Come on, Howard, we're going to have a +beautiful afternoon!" She caught young Bright by the arm and whirled him +across the room to the coat-rack. She jammed a bright green beret over +her right ear and slung her leopard-cat coat onto her shoulders. "All +set for Fifth Avenue!" she called out merrily as she preceded Howard out +of the room. + + + + + Chapter V + + ON SECRET SERVICE + + +To say that Dorothy enjoyed her afternoon's shopping would be putting it +mildly. Give any girl plenty of money and tell her to go out and buy an +entire trousseau for herself--or even for somebody else--and watch her +jump at the chance! + +Howard trailed along in more or less of a daze. This sudden change in +his outlook; being drawn from the depths of despondency to the hope of a +future with the girl he loved, and all in the space of a couple of +hours, was a little too much for him to realize at once. Ever after, he +had but a hazy recollection of that shopping tour. The afternoon seemed +but a whirling maze of lingerie, stockings, street dresses, party +frocks, coats, hats, shoes and accessories, upon which his advice was +invariably asked, and never taken. + +They were bowling hotelwards in a taxi, jammed with cardboard boxes and +packages of various shapes and sizes, before he returned to normal. + +"Whew!" he looked at Dorothy. "I should think you'd be dead!" + +She shook her head and laughed. "No girl ever gets tired of shopping," +she told him gaily. "Wait till you're married--you'll find out." + +"But what's the idea of bringing all these things back with us? I +thought Mr. Sanborn said to have them sent." + +"He did--but I have a better idea. This is part of it. I'll tell you all +about it when we get to the hotel. Keep still now--I want to go over the +lists and see if I've forgotten anything!" + +Howard sighed in resignation. + +At the hotel desk they learned that Ashton Sanborn had not returned as +yet, but had left word that they should go to his rooms. With the +assistance of three bellboys, they piled themselves and their packages +into the elevator. + +"Gee! This looks like the night before Christmas!" Howard dropped his +hat and overcoat and stared at the boxes and bundles piled along the +wall of the sitting room. "Janet certainly will be surprised when she +sees all those things!" + +Dorothy pulled off her close-fitting little hat, and tossed it with her +purse and coat onto the table. Then she sank into an easy-chair. "Well, +I only hope she'll approve. My, this was a strenuous afternoon. You'd +better sit down." + +Howard followed her advice. "You said it. But I know Janet--she'll be +crazy about the things you've bought." + +"Oh, you boys are all alike." Dorothy yawned unashamedly. + +"I don't get you." + +"What I mean is that as soon as a fellow goes round with a girl for a +while, he invariably says 'Oh yes, she'll like this,' or, 'she won't +like that'." + +"And--?" + +"Ninety-nine times out of a hundred you guess wrong." + +"Why?" + +"I think it's because girls like to do their own choosing. Especially +when it comes to buying clothes. Well, anyway, I think the things are +darling, and they'll be becoming, too. At least they look well on me." + +"Don't worry--those clothes will make her look like a million dollars." + +"I know they will. I'm tired, I guess." Dorothy yawned again and closed +her eyes. + +Howard started to say something, thought better of it, yawned, and let +his head pillow itself on the soft upholstery. + +Three quarters of an hour later, Ashton Sanborn and Bill Bolton marched +into the room to find the two shoppers sound asleep in their respective +chairs. The detective coughed discreetly and both the young people +awoke. + +"I see that you've brought your spoils back with you," he smiled, +pointing to the boxes and bundles. Dorothy stared at him, only half +awake, then sat upright in her chair as she realized where she was. + +"Looks to me," said Bill, getting out of his overcoat, "as if she +thought Janet was going to start a shop of her own. Why did you cart all +the stuff back here instead of having it sent?" + +"Because, Mr. Inquisitive--well, just because. You and Howard run along +now and prepare your handsome selves for dinner. The principles of this +piece are going into conference now." + +"My _word_--" began Bill, but at a shake of the head from Sanborn, he +took the still drowsy Howard by the arm and together they disappeared +into the bedroom. + +"Pretty tough time you've had, I expect?" Mr. Sanborn's eyes twinkled, +though his tone was grave. + +"Oh, but it was lots of fun," cried Dorothy. "Thanks to Uncle Sam, and +Uncle Sanborn! And look here, I've got a great idea." + +"Which has to do with your bringing back the packages yourself?" + +"Quite right, it has. Do you think those boys can hear what we're +saying?" + +"I doubt it, Dorothy--but Bill, as you probably guessed at the end of +the affair of the Winged Cartwheels, is a full-fledged member of my +organization and--" + +"Oh, I don't mind Bill," she interrupted in a low tone. "But Howard +mustn't get wind of it. He might make a fuss." + +She rose from her chair and going over to the detective, began to +whisper in his ear. + +"But that's impossible, Dorothy!" he protested, although he allowed a +smile to come to his eyes. "And what's more, my dear, I'm afraid it +would be illegal." + +"Oh, no, it wouldn't! Not if you--" And again she brought her lips close +to his ear. + +"You're a young scamp!" he laughed as she ended. "But--well--you're +doing a great deal for me, so--" + +"So you'll go downstairs and start telephoning right away!" she prompted +eagerly. + +Ashton Sanborn held up his hands in mock despair. "Nieces," he declared, +"should not badger hard-working old uncles. But since this niece has +been a good girl today, Uncle will do as he's asked." + +"I shall never call you anything else but Uncle Sanborn, now," Dorothy +cried delightedly. + +"Thanks, my child, and I'll do my best for you." + +"Angel uncles can do no more," she laughed. + +"Right-o. I'll be on my way, then. Come along in about fifteen minutes +with Bill and Howard. I'll arrange for a table for dinner and meet you +three in Peacock Alley." The detective caught up his hat and hurried out +of the room. + + * * * * * + +Although Mr. Sanborn was a perfect host, and did all he could to make +that dinner entertaining, he confessed later that he would always +consider it one of the few failures of an otherwise unblemished career. + +Notwithstanding the delicious food, the charm and beauty of the huge +room with its lights and music and scores of well-dressed men and +beautifully gowned women, the dinner was not a success. All three of the +young people were too excited by thoughts of what would happen later to +do justice to the meal. Dorothy, moreover, had the added annoyance of +feeling that her tailored frock, smart enough for luncheon or shopping, +was definitely not the thing to wear at dinner in a fashionable hotel. +Each endeavored to be sprightly and at ease. But since they knew that +the one thing they wanted to talk about was forbidden in public, +conversation flagged. Upstairs at last in Mr. Sanborn's sitting room, he +came directly to the point. + +"Now I know you're just rearing to go," he said. "And perhaps the sooner +we get under way, the better." He turned to Bill. "You go ahead with +Howard," he ordered. "Dorothy and I will follow you in about ten +minutes. Go straight to the apartment. We'll meet you there." + +"O and likewise K, boss," Bill returned. "Get into your rubbers, Howard. +And don't look so gloomy. You're on your way to meet your best girl, +remember." + +When they had gone, Dorothy turned at once to the detective. "How about +it, Uncle Sanborn?" she asked eagerly. + +"To quote Bill, 'O and likewise K,' niece." + +"Gee, you _are_ a dear!" Dorothy clapped her hands. "And now that that +is that--I don't care what happens." + +"But I do, Dorothy." Ashton Sanborn was serious. "Listen to me, young +lady. From now on you're working for the U. S. government, under me, and +I must have my orders obeyed to the letter." + +"Yes, sir, I understand." Dorothy's tone was crisp and business-like. + +"Good. I let those chaps go ahead of us as there is no need of having us +all arrive at that apartment house at the same time. This afternoon, +Bill and I made all arrangements, so that you can change places with +your cousin shortly after you arrive." + +Dorothy felt secretly proud that this keen-eyed secret service man took +her at her word, and did not ask her again if she were really willing to +go through with it. "May I ask you a question?" + +"Certainly." + +"Well, suppose that after you manage to get me into Janet's room, she +refuses to leave it. Do you want me to force her?" + +"Heavens, no." Sanborn laughed. "That has all been taken care of, +Dorothy. I talked to your cousin by means of Howard's headphone set +shortly after dark this afternoon. I explained the whole thing to her +and when she understood that her father would be brought into no extra +danger because of our plan, and that I had drafted you into becoming a +secret service operative, she consented." + +"I'm glad of that," said Dorothy fervently. "She could easily have +misunderstood and spoiled everything." + +"Well, we'll have a lot to do to put it over, even though Janet is +willing. I persuaded her that by doing exactly what you told her, once +you arrived, she would be serving her country like a loyal American. +You, of course, will use your own judgment, when you see her. The +principal thing is to change clothes and get her out the way you came +just as soon as possible." + +"But how am I to get into the Jordans' apartment?" + +"Good soldiers, Dorothy, do not ask questions. There's no secret about +it, but I've other things to tell you now. Lawson will probably come for +you--or for Janet, as he will believe you to be. He is a tall, slender +man, about thirty, rather good-looking, dark curly hair and a small +mustache. Your Uncle Michael, if you should run into him, is heavy set +and rather short. He has reddish hair, turning grey, and is clean +shaven. Janet has never met either Doctor Winn, or Mrs. Lawson. Now just +a word about the lady. She is a very beautiful and a very clever woman. +Be on your guard with her, continually. I believe that the principal +reason that you, or rather, Janet Jordan, will be taken to Ridgefield, +is so that you may be studied at first hand by this woman. There is no +need for me to tell you to keep up the Janet personality day and night. +Incidentally, you will have only a very short time to study your cousin, +so make the most of it. Well," he concluded, "I guess that's about all. +You will receive further orders within the next day or two. In the +meantime, simply carry on as Janet Jordan. I am taking a great +responsibility in letting you go, my dear. For I won't hide the fact +that you'd probably be safer in a den of rattlesnakes than in the same +house with Mr. and Mrs. Lawson." + +"I'm not afraid, you know," said Dorothy simply and smiled up at him. + +"I know you're not. But it would really be better if you were. For then +you'd be much more careful, and you must watch your step every minute +until I get you out of it. Here's your coat. Slip into it and we'll get +going. The sooner I get you safely into Janet's room, and that young +lady out of it, the easier will your Uncle Sanborn feel." + + + + + Chapter VI + + WHO'S WHO? + + +The December evening was cold and wet as Dorothy and Ashton Sanborn +crossed the sidewalk and entered their taxi-cab. The day had been a +dreary one, and now a dense, drizzling fog lay low upon the great city. +Dun-colored clouds drooped over a muddy Park Avenue as they were swept +up town. On the side streets the electrics were but misty splotches of +diffused light which threw feeble circular glimmers upon the slimy +pavements. The yellow glare from shopwindows streamed out into the +chill, vaporous air, and threw a murky, shifting radiance across the +crowded thoroughfare. To Dorothy there was something eerie and ghostlike +in the endless procession of faces which flitted across these narrow +bars of light. She was not in any respect a timid girl, but the dull, +heavy evening, and the prospect of the strange venture in which they +were engaged, combined to make her feel nervous and depressed. + +At 59th street the taxi turned west and rolled steadily along the +shining black asphalt, stopping now and then for the red lights. They +crossed 5th Avenue and swung into Central Park. Dorothy caught glimpses +of the gaunt shapes of trees in silhouette against the cold fog. She +closed her eyes and resolutely turned her thoughts to the events of the +afternoon. + +So engrossed had she become in the contemplation of her delightful +buying orgy that she was surprised when their cab pulled up with a jerk +and Ashton Sanborn opened the door. + +"Muffle up in your fur collar, Dorothy," he said. "The fewer people who +see your face, the better." + +Now that the ordeal had arrived, Dorothy's nervousness vanished. She +buried the lower part of her face in the soft fur collar and walked at +Mr. Sanborn's side into the lobby of the apartment house. + +A darkey in brass buttoned uniform stood by the elevator. Two shining +rows of white teeth flashed in a smile of greeting for the detective. + +"All the way up, George." Mr. Sanborn gave the order as the car started +upward. + +"Yaas, suh, boss, I understand." George smiled again, and presently the +elevator stopped. + +With Mr. Sanborn in the lead, Dorothy walked along a corridor and up a +narrow flight of stairs. The detective opened a door at the top and the +damp cold of the night swept in upon them. A moment later they were +crossing the flat roof of the apartment house toward a small group who +stood near the parapet at the roof's edge. As they drew nearer, she saw +that the group awaiting them was composed of Bill Bolton, Howard, and a +stranger. They were standing beside a small crane. + +The secret service man nodded a greeting and turned to Dorothy. "We are +directly above Janet's window, which is three flights below," he said +quietly, and glanced at the luminous dial of his wrist-watch. + +"And you're going to let me down with the auto-crane?" she asked with +just a tremor of excitement in her voice. + +"That's the idea. It's perfectly safe. Bill tested it this afternoon." + +Dorothy gave a little laugh. "Oh, I'm not scared, Uncle Sanborn." + +"I know you aren't, my dear." + +"When do I take off?" + +"Whenever you're ready." + +"All set now, then, please." + +"Good. You'll go in a minute. Here are last instructions. You will seat +yourself in that swinging seat that Bill is holding. The cable to which +it is attached runs through the pulley at the end of the crane's arm. +This building is nine stories high. The Jordans' flat is on the seventh +floor, you remember, so Janet's window is the third one down." He moved +to the low parapet and leaned over. "The window is dark, so everything +is O.K.," he said, coming back to her. "Pull your seat in with you when +you enter, Dorothy, and pull down the shade, of course, when the light +is turned on. When Janet is ready, switch off the light again and have +her give a couple of pulls on this guide rope." He placed the rope in +her hand. "Then we will hoist her up. Ready for your hop now?" + +"Yes, thanks." + +"Good luck, then. And remember that although you may not see us, I or +some of my men will be near you all the time." + +Dorothy shook hands with her three friends and stepped into her swinging +seat. She sat down, steadying herself with a grip on the cable. + +"All serene?" asked Bill. + +"Shove off!" said Dorothy. + +Bill motioned to the stranger, there came the low whir of an electric +motor. Her feet left the roof and she felt herself swung upward. Then +the ascent stopped, the arm of the crane swung outward and with it her +pendant seat. Her feet cleared the parapet and she was over the narrow +airshaft. + +Blurred lights from closed windows of the various apartments gave her a +glimpse of many empty ashcans in the small courtyard far below. But the +crane was lowering her now close to the wall of the building. She was +facing the wall, and looking upward she made out four heads leaning over +the parapet at the edge of the roof. + +The descent was slow, but at last she passed two windows and came to +rest beside the third, whose lower sash she saw was open. Then two arms +caught her about the knees and she was pulled into the room. + +"Dorothy--oh, Dorothy!" sobbed an excited voice so like her own that +Dorothy gave a start. + +"Well, here I am, Janet." It was a prosaic reply, but her own heart was +beating quickly, nevertheless. "Gee, it's dark in here! Be a dear and +shut down the window on this cable--and draw the shade, then turn on the +light. I'm busy getting out of this thing." + +She heard the window and shade come down with a rush. As she stepped +free of her conveyance, the lights flashed on, and the cousins flew into +each other's arms. + +"Janet!" + +"Dorothy!" + +For a long moment the girls hugged each other and Janet, the more +over-wrought, sobbed on her cousin's shoulder. + +Dorothy was herself deeply touched, but managed to control her feelings. +"Come, dear," she said at last. "We'll just have to get going, I guess. +They're waiting for you on the roof--and somebody is likely to come to +the door. We mustn't be caught together, you know." + +"I know it." Janet released her and again Dorothy gasped, for she heard +her own voice speaking although the words came from Janet. + +"Look, Dorothy!" Janet pointed to a long mirror in the corner of the +room. "I knew that we were a lot alike, but I never could have +believed--" + +"Well, talk about two peas in a pod!" In the glass Dorothy saw herself +standing beside her cousin; and had it not been that she wore a coat and +hat, while Janet was dressed in a wine-colored silk frock, she would +have had difficulty in knowing which was her own reflection. "Maybe I'm +half an inch taller, or hardly that," she said after a bit. "Lucky we +both have had our hair shingled. You wear a bang, though--but that's +easily fixed." + +She whipped off her small hat and went over to the dressing table where +she picked up a pair of nail scissors. Two minutes of snipping and +Janet's bang was duplicated on her own forehead. The hair she had cut +off had been carefully placed on a magazine cover and opening the window +a trifle she dropped the ends into the night. + +"Now," she said, closing the window. "You and I had better change +clothes, Janet. And we'll have to make it snappy." + +"Yes--and oh dear--" Janet was slipping off her dress--"I've got so much +to talk about. You can't realize what a horrible time I've had--and then +to find you, only to lose you again!" Janet was very near to tears. + +"But you won't lose me long," Dorothy flashed her a comforting smile as +she got out of her own dress. "Meanwhile, you'll have Howard. He's +waiting on the roof, now. And Ashton Sanborn says he can clear up this +business in a few days." + +"You certainly are wonderfully brave to do this for me," sighed her +cousin. "If Mr. Sanborn hadn't insisted that by changing places with you +I'd be really helping the government, I couldn't allow you to do it. As +it is, I feel I'm cowardly to go through with it--" + +"Why, you're nothing of the sort," Dorothy protested. While Janet talked +and they both undressed, she watched her cousin's mannerisms, storing +away in her memory, for future use, every gesture, and inflection of the +voice so like her own. + +"Who's who?" she giggled, and now her tone was softer, an exact +duplication of Janet's manner of speaking. + +Her cousin smiled. "In our undies," she admitted, "even I am beginning +to wonder if I'm not seeing double and talking to myself. How about +shoes and stockings, Dorothy?" + +"Chuck 'em over, Janet, we'd better do it up right. I sp'ose most of +your things are packed in that wardrobe trunk over there?" + +"Yes. I packed it this afternoon. You'll find some handkerchiefs and +gloves in the top bureau drawer. I left the trunk open on purpose. When +Mr. Lawson comes, you might be putting them in--it would help to make +things natural." + +"Right you are--that's a good idea." + +"My arctics and my hat and coat are in the closet. Your coat is much +better looking than mine. It's a shame to take it from you." + +"What's a coat between cousins who love each other?" laughed Dorothy and +put on Janet's dress. + +A few minutes later, the change of clothing had been made, and the girls +regarded each other in awed wonder. + +"I'll bet," Dorothy declared, "that when Howard sees you he'll think +I've come back again." + +Janet blushed. "Well, he'll soon find out different. But it's a shame to +leave you here, darling. If there were _only_ some other way!" + +"But there isn't. So cut along now, and just remember that this kind of +thing is my stuff--I love it." + +"Some day I'll make it up to you--if I ever can!" + +Dorothy hesitated for a moment, then smiled. "You can do it tonight, if +you want to." + +"Why--what do you mean?" + +"Just follow any suggestions that Mr. Sanborn may make." + +"But, what does that--you're hiding something from me!" + +"Perhaps I am." + +"What is it?" + +"Never mind, now." + +"But, Dorothy--" + +"No time for that, Janet. Get into that swing arrangement with your back +to the window." + +"All right, but kiss me goodbye, first." + +They held each other close for a second. Then as Janet took her place on +the seat attached to the steel cable, Dorothy switched off the light. + +"I'll--I'll do as you ask, I mean, about Mr. Sanborn," whispered Janet. + +"Thanks, darling, I--" began Dorothy, her hand on the window sash ready +to raise it. Then suddenly she stopped. + +Somebody was unlocking the door into the hall. + + + + + Chapter VII + + PLAYING A PART + + +Dorothy ran to the door and caught hold of the knob. "Who's there?" she +cried. + +"It's I--Martin Lawson, Janet. May I come in?" + +"Oh, please, Mr. Lawson, not right now." There was a soft tone of +pleading in her voice. "You see, I've been lying down and I'm not quite +dressed." + +"But I thought I heard you speaking." + +"You did." The real Janet, shivering by the window, caught her breath +and heard Dorothy's tone sharpen slightly. "To myself. Being cooped up +like this for hours on end, I'm glad to hear the sound of my own voice. +I often read aloud. But I'll be ready shortly, if you want me." + +"All right, then. I'll be back in five minutes. Your father is here and +he wants to say goodbye." + +The key turned in the lock and with her ear close to the panel Dorothy +was sure she could hear the faint tread of footsteps retreating down the +hall. With her heart pumping sixty to the second, she dashed back to +Janet and carefully raised the window. + +"Heavens! that was a narrow squeak--" her cousin whispered shakily. +"What nerve you've got! I nearly fainted--" + +"Never mind," Dorothy whispered back, "you've got to get out of +here--and right now!" + +"Oh, but I can't, Dorothy. I'm afraid!" + +Dorothy gave the signal rope two savage pulls. Almost immediately the +cable began to tighten. "Close your eyes and hang on with both hands," +she ordered. + +"But Dorothy--I'll scream--I'm going to--I know it!" + +"No, you won't!" Quickly Dorothy clasped the frightened girl's fingers +around the taut cable. A dive into the pocket of Janet's coat brought +forth her own handkerchief which she hurriedly crumpled into a ball and +thrust into her cousin's mouth. The seat, with Janet in it, was rising +slowly. She caught the paralyzed girl below the knees, steadied her as +the crane drew its burden clear of the sill and pushed her carefully +into the outer darkness. When Janet's feet were on a level with the +upper sash, she pulled down the window and shade and switched on the +light again. + +"Skies above!" Her breath came in short gasps and she leaned against the +end of the bed to steady herself. "Talk about your thrills! That was +worse than my first solo hop, by a long shot." She ran her fingers +through her short hair. "Let's see--what next? Oh, yes--I was supposed +to be lying down." + +She caught up a book from the table and tossed it open onto the bed. +Then she lay down, rumpled the coverlet, made sure that the pillow +showed the impression of her head, and sprang up again. An adventurous +past had taught her the need of being thorough. + +She went to the window and raising it, looked out and upward. Neither +Janet nor the crane were in sight. Thankful that her cousin was safe at +last, she pulled down the sash. + +Two or three minutes later, when the door was unlocked, the two men who +entered surprised her in the business of packing the contents of the top +bureau drawer into Janet's wardrobe trunk. + +And now came as pretty a piece of acting as has ever been seen upon the +stage; acting that Dorothy's audience of two must not realize was +acting, and furthermore, one of these men was the father of the girl she +impersonated. Why hadn't she remembered to ask Janet what she called +that mysterious father of hers? Father, Papa, Dad, Daddy--which should +she use? A mistake now would be fatal. Even her uncle must not become +aware of her real identity. There was no time for hesitating. He was +speaking now. + +"Janet, my dear--" he began. + +Dorothy ran to her uncle and throwing her arms about his neck, buried +her head on his shoulder. "How could you leave me like this?" she +wailed. "Why do you let these people keep me locked in my room? And now +they are going to take me away!" Her voice grew louder, almost +hysterical. She sobbed pathetically and clutched him a little tighter. + +"My dear child--you mustn't cry this way--you really mustn't!" Mr. +Jordan patted her back in the silly way men do when they want to be +comforting. "Mr. Lawson and his wife will look after you in the country, +while your Daddy is away." + +She released the embarrassed man, and pulling a handkerchief from his +breast pocket, dabbed her eyes with the cambric until she felt certain +they looked bloodshot enough to pass inspection. "But I don't _want_ to +go, Daddy. Please don't let them take me," she begged, her voice +trembling as though she was using all her will power to gain self +control. "If you can't take me with you, why can't I go back to school?" + +"But that's impossible, Janet. You are going to be Mrs. Lawson's +secretary. Don't be foolish. All arrangements have been made." + +"Well, I'm eighteen," said Dorothy with a show of temper. "My mother was +a year younger than that when she ran away and married you. I am no +longer a child. I don't like being packed off like--like a bag of +potatoes." + +"Are there any other reasons why you don't want to come to Ridgefield +with me?" Mr. Lawson spoke for the first time. His words fairly dripped +with suspicion. + +"Yes, there are." Dorothy turned on him angrily. "Daddy goes off on a +trip, and for reasons which appear to be a secret, you keep me locked in +my room for more than a week, Mr. Lawson. And you seem to wonder why I +resent it." + +"But you have been ill, my dear Janet." + +"If I'm so ill, why has no doctor been to see me?" Her voice was full of +scorn. + +"I have been keeping you under observation myself." + +"Quite possibly. I've been allowed to see nobody except that maid who +acts as if she were deaf and dumb. If you are trying to tell me that I'm +mentally deranged, I won't stand for it! The mere fact that you now +propose that I act as your wife's secretary proves that you consider me +capable. What right have you to keep me a prisoner in my own home? Who +are you, Mr. Martin Lawson, to take upon yourself the regulating of my +life?" Dorothy burst into angry tears. + +"But my _dear_ child--" protested Mr. Jordan. "I've never seen you +behave like this--" + +"No! And up to now," she stormed, her eyes flashing, "you've never given +me cause. In the first place I'm no longer a child--you forget that--and +then--what kind of a life did you give me as a child? You are my father +and you say that you love me, but can you expect deep affection from a +daughter whom you ship to boarding school at five? You wouldn't even let +me visit friends during the holidays. For years at a time you never took +the trouble to come and see me. How can you expect love and obedience +after years of neglect?" She drew a sobbing breath, then went on: "For a +while we traveled--you were nice to me--I enjoyed it. We settled down +here. I forgave what you'd done to my childhood. I tried to make this +flat a home for you, even though I was kept like a cloistered nun and +you allowed me no friends. But this is going too far." + +"And what, may I ask, are you going to do about it?" inquired Lawson +with a disagreeable smile. + +"What can a defenseless girl without friends do to stop two big bullies? +I shall go with you, Mr. Lawson, because I can't help myself. But don't +expect me to like being used as a slave, even though I may be of some +comfort to that long-suffering wife of yours. Oh, that makes you angry, +does it? Well, let me tell you, that you are not half as angry as I am. +You can practice your strong-arm methods on defenseless women and get +away with it--some day you'll try it on a man--and by the time he gets +through thrashing you there won't be enough left for the boneyard." She +flashed a smile of contempt on the furious man, and turned to Mr. Jordan +who was speaking again. + +"What has come over you, Janet?" he was saying. "I've never heard you +speak so rudely to anyone before. You've always been such a quiet little +mouse--" + +"And you've taken advantage of it," she interrupted. "What you forget is +that even a mouse will turn and fight when it's cornered. If you really +loved me--if you had a spark of manhood in your selfish body, you'd +thrash this man to within an inch of his life and throw him into the +street. Get out of here--both of you!" she cried hysterically. "And +please--no more silly arguments--I don't want to be forced to say before +outsiders what a contemptible person my father is proving himself to +be." + +This last tirade seemed to stun Mr. Jordan. From the almost agonized +expression on his face, she saw that at last conscience was at work. The +man was utterly miserable. He could not hide it. + +"Will you--will you be ready to leave in half an hour, Janet?" His voice +was a mere whisper and shook with suppressed feeling. + +"Yes, I'll be ready. Go now, please--both of you!" She turned her back +on them and walking over to the window, she threw up the shade and the +sash. As she stood there staring into the night, she heard them leave +the room. + +This time the door shut without being locked. Dorothy streaked across +the floor and pressed her ear to the keyhole. Just outside the men were +talking. + +"You're a fool, Lawson, if you still think that Janet wasn't asleep +during the meeting," she heard her uncle say. "Tonight proves it. And +let me tell you this. From now on, my business and my home shall be kept +separate and distinct. Never again will I allow myself to be placed in a +position to be dressed down by my own daughter. There was no comeback +either. Every word she said was gospel truth. It's a terrible thing when +a daughter makes her father realize what a low, cowardly creature he is +at heart. Well, how about it? Aren't you now convinced of her +innocence?" + +"I am." Lawson clipped off the words, and as he went on speaking, there +was insolence as well as a hint of nervousness in his tone. "But when it +comes to giving me a thrashing, Number 5--well, I shouldn't try it if I +were you--not if you value your--er--health!" + +"Stop talking like a fool!" retorted Janet's father. "Is the girl to be +sent to Ridgefield or not?" + +"Now you're talking rot, yourself," snapped Lawson. "You know quite as +well as I do that Laura won't take our word for it. She told me this +morning that any clever woman or girl for that matter, could twist a man +around her finger without half trying. Laura wants to study your +daughter herself--and that's all there is to it." + +"I hope Mrs. Lawson has a pleasant time of it." Mr. Jordan said +sarcastically. "But I'm afraid my hope will not be granted." + +"Laura," answered that lady's husband, "can be rather disagreeable +herself when she's roused. Let us hope for Janet's sake, that she +doesn't try her tantrums on my wife. By the way, what are you doing +now?" + +"Getting away just as fast as I can, thank you. No more scenes for me, +tonight. I wouldn't meet Janet on her way out of here for a million +dollars!" + +They moved further along the hall and Dorothy went slowly back to the +window. Across the narrow court, two flights up, the shaded windows of +Howard Bright's flat shone a dull golden yellow in the black wall. For +several minutes she stood watching the windows, her thoughts upon what +she had done and what she had just heard. + +Suddenly, shadows appeared on one of the yellow rectangles. The shade +was raised and framed in the window were Janet and Howard. Just behind +them stood a stranger who wore the round, conventional collar of a +clergyman. The young couple were smiling happily. Both waved, and Janet +held up her left hand. + +Dorothy knew the significance of that gesture, and threw them a kiss. +Then she saw the shade roll down, and she turned away. + +"And so they were married and lived happily ever after." She sighed. +"Uncle Sanborn kept his promise, like the fine old sport he is." + +She stuffed the last of Janet's belongings into the trunk, slammed it +shut and locked it. + +"Now for the dirty work--and Laura Lawson." She smiled grimly and went +to the closet for Janet's hat and coat. + + + + + Chapter VIII + + "WALK INTO MY PARLOR" + + +The sedan, with Martin Lawson driving and Dorothy beside him, purred +smoothly through the dank, cold night. Now that they were past the realm +of traffic lights, it lopped off the miles between them and Ridgefield +with the regularity of an electric saw cutting planks from a log. + +During the entire journey, now nearly over, Dorothy had spoken no word +to the man beside her. She wanted him to believe that she was still +furiously angry. As a matter of fact, she had felt antagonistic toward +him from the first moment she laid eyes upon him; his smug overgrooming, +the highly polished fingernails, the small waxed moustache and too +immaculate clothing, all repelled her. She knew at once what it had +taken Janet some time to realize: Martin Lawson might be and probably +was a very clever man; he was, on the other hand, a man to be wary of. +His manner was just a little too complacent, too smooth. Notwithstanding +the forewarning she had received regarding his character, Dorothy knew +instinctively that he was not genuine and not a trustworthy person in +any respect. She detested him thoroughly. + +He was a careful driver, she gave him credit for that. They found little +traffic to impede their progress along the Boston Post Road, once the +long tentacles of the great city were left behind. But the black swath +of highway leading out and on from their moisture-coated headlights +glistened wetly in their reflection. After they turned into the hills +behind Stamford, heading for the Connecticut Ridge Country, the road for +a mile or more at a stretch was covered with wet leaves. They crawled +along at a snail's pace to prevent skidding and a crash into the New +England stone fences that rambled along the roadside dividing woodland +from the rolling meadows. + +Just beyond New Canaan, they drove past Dorothy's home and Bill +Bolton's, for the properties faced each other across the ridge road. +Before they reached Vista it was raining dismally, and Lawson had the +windshield wiper going. Dorothy was thankful that the sixty-mile journey +from New York was nearly over. At last they reached the outskirts of +Ridgefield, and the car swung into a driveway between high pillars of +native stonework. In the glow from the electric globes on the gate +posts, the blue stone driveway curved and twisted like a huge snake, +winding through landscaped lawns and gardens as formal and precise as a +public park. + +It was raining harder now, and Dorothy could see nothing beyond the path +of their headlights. Although she had never been in the grounds before, +she had driven past the Winn place numbers of times. Finally, she made +out the bulk of a great stone house. Martin Lawson stopped the car +beneath a porte-cochere. They had arrived. + +Massive doors of wrought iron and glass swung open. A butler and two +footmen in livery ran down the steps. The butler, a tall, +important-looking individual, snapped open the car door. + +"Good evening, Mr. Lawson," he said. "Good evening, Miss." + +The voice with its high-pitched Oxford drawl still smacked of +Whitechapel. Dorothy, who had travelled in England, was sure that under +stress, the cockney in this personage would come out. She knew he was +careful of his aitches. + +"Good evening, Tunbridge," Lawson returned briskly, and Dorothy smiled +pleasantly. "Is Mrs. Lawson still up?" + +"Madam is awaiting you in the library, sir." Tunbridge helped Dorothy to +alight and handed Janet's overnight bag to a footman. "Jones," he said +to the other flunky, as Lawson stepped out of the car, "drive round to +the service entrance. Miss Jordan's box is in the back of the car. See +that it is taken up to the Pink Bedroom and have Hanley garage the +motor-car." + +"Very good, sir," returned the man, and he got into the automobile. + +Tunbridge ushered them up the broad stone steps. Dorothy caught a last +glimpse of a leafless, dripping hedge across the drive, and the giant +skeleton arms of a tree that seemed to menace earth and sky; then she +entered the house, wondering what the next act of this strange drama +would bring forth. + +She found herself in an enormous hall, furnished with objects such as +she had never seen outside a museum. Elaborately carved oak, suits of +armor, stone urns, portraits, a wide stone staircase mounting upward to +surrounding galleries, stained glass windows, tigers' and lions' heads, +antlers of tremendous size, strange and beautiful weapons, all ranged in +confusion before her eyes and suggested a baronial castle rather than +the home of an American scientist, in the Connecticut hills. + +Tunbridge led to a door on the right, where he knocked, then opened, as +a muffled "Come in" was heard. + +"Miss Jordan and Mr. Lawson, Madam," announced the butler, and he stood +aside to let them pass. + +Dorothy walked into a room whose walls seemed built of books. The +furniture was richly attractive and looked luxuriously comfortable. A +fire blazed in a fine chimney and a table near it was set with a glitter +of splendid silver and hot water plates below shining metal covers. + +A tall, superbly beautiful woman, with dark eyes and coal-black hair +that grew in a widow's peak on her brow, rose from a chair on the wide +hearth and came toward them. Her clear, white skin, and a broad streak +of silver across the black hair gave her a strangely ethereal +appearance, as though she might have been a being from another planet. +The hand she held out to Dorothy was exquisitely formed, the fingers +long and tapering. + +"How do you do, Janet," she said pleasantly. "Welcome to Winncote. You +are later than we expected. The Doctor has gone to bed, but he left his +greetings." + +"Thank you," Dorothy returned formally and shook hands. "You are very +kind, Mrs. Lawson." + +Laura Lawson gave her a smile, but the girl saw that it was a smile of +the lips alone, her dark eyes remained somber. "Did you have a +breakdown?" she asked her husband, taking notice of him for the first +time. + +"Slippery roads--it was impossible to do much more than crawl, Laura." +He lifted a dish cover on the table and inspected its contents. "Glad +you thought to order supper--I'm famished." + +"So am I," admitted his wife and her words seemed to carry a double +meaning. "It's long after three. Come over here by the fire and get +warm, Janet. Now Tunbridge--if you'll please serve us?" + +Tunbridge seated them at the supper table and uncovered the dishes. + +"Just a light meal," announced the hostess, "scrambled eggs, toast and +cocoa, but it will warm you up and help you last until breakfast." + +"It looks delicious!" said Dorothy, who discovered at the sight of food +that she was starving. In fact all three were hungry, and for some +little time conversation was dropped while the soft-footed Tunbridge +waited upon them. + +"We will have a chat tomorrow, Janet," Mrs. Lawson said presently. +"Tonight you are tired and so am I. We take breakfast in our rooms. Ring +for it when you're ready, but don't hurry about getting up, I'll see you +down here about eleven-thirty. Have you had enough to eat and drink, my +dear?" + +"Plenty, thank you, Mrs. Lawson." Dorothy thought it would be just as +well if she played the demure mouse until she had a chance to size up +her employer. + +"Then I think we'll go upstairs, Janet, and I'll show you your room." +She looked at her husband. "You'll be coming up soon, Martin?" + +"Just as soon as I finish this pipe, and get a bit warmer." + +"I think," said Mrs. Lawson, "that both you and Janet had better take a +hot lemonade before you go to bed. I don't want to have you both laid up +with colds tomorrow." She smiled solicitously at the girl. + +"I hate the filthy stuff," protested her husband. + +"Don't be ridiculous," she answered coldly and turned to the butler. +"Tunbridge, have hot lemonades sent to Miss Jordan and Mr. Lawson in +about twenty minutes, if you please." + +"Very good, madam." + +Laura Lawson slipped her arm through Dorothy's. "Don't be long, Martin." + +"I won't. Good night, Janet." + +"Good night, Mr. Lawson." + +Mrs. Lawson seemed lost in thought as they slowly mounted the stone +stairs. Suddenly she began chattily: "Men are such stupid creatures, +Janet. So stupid about taking medicine or anything else that may be good +for them. Martin and that hot lemonade is a case in point. I hope that +you haven't any foolish ideas like that?" + +"Oh, no, indeed. I'm rather fond of it." + +"That's fine. Now promise me you'll get into bed and drink it just as +hot as possible. There's nothing better to ward off a cold, and you'll +sleep like a top into the bargain. Well, here's your room, my dear. It's +late, so I won't come in, but I think you'll find all you need to make +you comfortable. If you want anything, ring. Good night, Janet. Sleep +well." + +"I'm sure I will, Mrs. Lawson. Good night." + +The older woman passed along the gallery and Dorothy entered her +bedroom. It was a good-sized room, attractively furnished with +everywhere evidence of a woman's taste. Pink-shaded electric candles +gleamed from the walls papered in cream and scattered with tiny pink +rosebuds. The small grey-painted bed displayed pink pillow cases, sheets +and blankets. A dainty writing desk in one corner of the room was also +painted grey as was the chaise longue and the chairs, where the +upholstery carried out the note of pink. A soft grey rug, pink-bordered, +covered the floor, and Dorothy's feet sank into its thick, warm pile as +she investigated her new quarters. She saw that the room was nearly +square, and opposite the door a rounded alcove sheltered a bow window, +hung with pink taffeta, and the window seat below it was cushioned in +pink. + +In a corner against the wall stood Janet's wardrobe trunk, and near it +was a door that led into a spacious closet. Dorothy hung her coat on a +padded hanger, and then looked into the rose and onyx tiled bath. + +As she re-entered the bedroom she stopped short in surprise. A small +piece of white paper protruded from beneath the door to the gallery. +Quickly she stooped, snatched the paper and opened the door. The gallery +was empty. Crossing to the balustrade she looked down upon the great +entrance hall. That also was deserted and nobody was to be seen on the +staircase. + +She turned back, closed and locked her door. Then she spread out the +paper she had crumpled in her hand. Printed on one side in pencil she +read the words: + +"BE ON YOUR GUARD. DO NOT DRINK THE LEMONADE. DESTROY THIS AT ONCE." + +"Now I wonder..." Dorothy muttered softly, "who sent me this note?" + + + + + Chapter IX + + IN THE NIGHT + + +Dorothy turned over the piece of paper to find as she expected that the +other side was blank. No signature. Nothing but the double warning, and +the admonition to destroy the missive and to do so at once. Evidently +the writer either believed or knew for certain that she would shortly be +disturbed. There was no fireplace in the bedroom. Even though she tore +the note into bits, some of the scraps might be found and pieced +together should she throw them out the window; and her room might be +searched at any time. How could she make way with it? For a moment or +two Dorothy was at a loss. Mechanically her fingers tore the paper into +fine shreds. + +Then she smiled. "I guess we'll let the plumbing take care of you," she +said, gazing down on the little pile of paper on her palm, and she +disappeared into the bathroom. + +When she returned, Dorothy opened Janet's over-night bag, took out a +pair of green silk pajamas, bedroom slippers and toilet accessories, +among which was a new toothbrush in a case. This, and the underwear she +had on were the only belongings of her own that she had retained. + +From Janet's purse, she extracted the trunk key. After some rummaging in +that large travelling wardrobe, she found a quilted bathrobe of pale +pink satin on a hanger toward the back. It was too late to unpack +entirely, and she was about to close and relock the trunk, when she +decided to leave it open. The Janet Jordan she was portraying had never +waked up at the famous meeting of last week. That Janet would feel +outraged at her imprisonment, her father's seeming callousness and would +naturally be furious at being packed up here willy-nilly: but she would +have no cause to be suspicious of these people in this big stone house. +If she had locked the trunk--Dorothy realized she had almost made a +mistake, although a minor one--and in her present position mistakes were +dangerous affairs. + +Although it was very late and the day had been a strenuous one Dorothy +did not feel tired. While she undressed, she went over in her mind the +new vistas opened up by this mysterious note she had just destroyed. As +she dissected it word by word from memory, she was astonished to find +that the scrap of paper carried much interesting information between the +lines. + +Undoubtedly, Ashton Sanborn had planted a member of his organization in +the house, but how that had been possible, she could not imagine. First +of all, there was the warning to be on her guard. That Mrs. Lawson was +indicated she had no doubt. Her hostess, while seeming most charming and +courteous, had nevertheless suggested the hot lemonade which the note +told her not to drink. It was quite likely that her unknown adviser had +reason to think that the lemonade would be drugged. And then these +people could hardly mean to poison her so soon after her arrival. For +their whole idea in bringing her to Winncote, as she understood it, was +to make sure whether the real Janet had heard their secrets or not. +No--they merely wanted her to sleep soundly. But why? + +Dorothy pondered on this for several minutes. There could be only one +reason, she decided. Somebody was planning to enter her bedroom tonight, +and wished to do so without her knowledge. What their purpose might be +she could not guess and she did not bother about it. To a girl of a +nervous temperament, such as Janet Jordan, the knowledge that such a +visit was planned and success arranged for by means of a drug, would +have been torture. But Dorothy, who could feel "Flash" in his holster +just above her knee was merely worried for fear that lemonade or no +lemonade she would fall asleep. The arrival here had been uneventful +enough after what had happened at the Jordans' apartment. At least, to +all outward appearances it had been smooth sailing. She was beginning to +realize that nothing with these people was what it seemed to be. She had +climbed her Vesuvius and was standing at the crater's edge. Already the +first rumblings of the eruption had been heard. + +Her position, though seemingly secure, was nothing of the kind. The +sooner Ashton Sanborn gave her the orders he had promised, and she could +carry them out and get away from this place, the better for Dorothy +Dixon. And yet she could not help a feeling of exhilaration. + +There came a gentle knock on her door. Wearing her quilted wrapper and +slippers she turned the key and opened to--the imposing Tunbridge. He +bore a small tray on which stood a steaming tumbler, a bowl of sugar, +two spoons and a napkin. "Your hot lemonade, Miss Jordan," he announced +in his pompous voice and rather as though he were offering her a +priceless gift. "Mrs. Lawson's instructions are to drink it after you +get in bed, Miss. May I mention also that it is very hot?" + +Dorothy took the tray. "Thank you, Tunbridge, I'll be careful. Good +night!" + +"Good night, Miss." + +The butler departed in the direction of the stairway, and Dorothy closed +the door and locked it again. + +She set the tray on a chair beside her bed and put two spoonfuls of +sugar into the tall glass. It was too hot for anyone to drink yet, so +she went into the bathroom to get ready for bed. + +Five minutes later she switched off all the lights except the one on the +head board. Then she got into bed, picked up the glass and stirred her +lemonade, making sure that the spoon tinkled against the glass. If +anyone was listening outside her door they would naturally think she was +drinking the stuff. + +After waiting a moment or two longer, she set the glass down on the tray +with a thump that might have been heard on the gallery. But the glass +remained in her hand. Off went her light now, and still holding the +lemonade she got quickly and quietly out of bed. A silent trip to the +bathroom in the dark and she emptied the lemonade into her washbowl. +Then she came back and placed the empty glass on the tray. She hurried +over to the bow window, opened a sash, turned off the heat in the +radiator and crawled into bed again. + +The bed was to the left of the door as one entered the room. By lying on +her right side Dorothy held the entire room within her view. After the +soft glare from the shaded electric lights, it seemed inky black, but +soon her eyes grew accustomed to the gloom. In the wall just beyond the +foot of the bed was the closed door of her closet. The trunk stood +beyond that in the corner. The alcove and window seat took up a large +section of the farther wall and in the corner, diagonally across from +where she lay was a dark spot--the writing desk. Opposite her bed was +the half open door to the bathroom. The dressing table, the door to the +hall but a few feet from her head--mentally she had completed her tour +of the room. + +Then for a long while, or so it seemed to the excited girl, she lay +there waiting. Of course her door was locked, but the affair of the +Winged Cartwheels a few months before had taught Dorothy that keys may +be turned from the outside with a pair of small pincers. Her mind now +set itself on the key in the door. In vain she listened for the warning +click that would come when it turned in the lock. Now that she was lying +in bed she began to discover how tired she was. It became harder and +harder to stay awake. + +She knew that she must have dozed, for without warning a light appeared, +a golden circle on the center of the rug. Instantly she was wide awake +and her hand beneath the blankets drew her throwing knife from its +sheath. Through half-closed eyelids she made out a dark figure holding a +flash light pointed toward the floor. + +Then the glowing circle moved to the empty glass beside her bed, and +Dorothy closed her eyes. For a moment it rested upon her face and she +heard a low chuckle. Dorothy knew that voice. Her visitor was Laura +Lawson. + +The light swept away from her face. Mrs. Lawson touched the wall switch +by the door and the bedroom sprang into light. The drug in the lemonade +must have been a strong one, for it was evident that the intruder had no +fear of her awakening. Without wasting another glance on Dorothy, Laura +Lawson went to the wardrobe trunk and commenced a detailed inspection of +its contents. + +The woman's back was turned, so Dorothy had no difficulty in watching +her movements. Everything in the trunk was taken out, glanced at and put +back exactly as it had been. This took some time, and it was fully half +an hour before her hostess finished with the trunk. Next she overhauled +the small travelling bag and the purse. Then the empty drawers of the +dressing table and desk came under the woman's eye. The pillows and +cushions of the window seat were lifted. The rug was turned back. Every +nook and cranny of the room and closet came under observation. Then she +went into the bathroom. + +"What under the shining canopy can she be looking for?" Dorothy +marveled. "It can't be the note I got tonight. She proposed the lemonade +before that could have been written. I wonder if she'll search the bed? +She mustn't find Flash--" + +When Laura Lawson returned to the bedroom, she saw that the sleeper had +turned over and was now facing the wall. For a moment she gazed down on +the girl, then her hand crept under the pillow. Finding nothing there, +the covers were pulled back to the foot of the bed. + +Dorothy felt the cold breeze from the open window blowing on her +pajamaed body, but she did not move. Presently sheet, blankets and silk +comfort were replaced and the woman left the bedside. Dorothy chuckled +inwardly. Flash was still safe. She was lying on him. + +Off went the light. Dorothy knew that Mrs. Lawson's slippered feet would +make no sound on the thick pile of the rug. She waited to hear the door +open and close, but heard nothing. With her face to the wall, she could +see nothing. The strain of lying motionless became nerve wracking. What +was the woman doing anyhow? Slowly she rolled over again. So far as she +could tell, the room was empty. + +For what seemed an age Dorothy lay, listening. Except for the wind +sighing through the bare trees outside her window, there was no other +sound. She felt nervous and unpleasantly excited. She must know if the +door had been left unlocked. Slipping out of bed she tiptoed across to +it and tried the handle. The door did not give. + +Suddenly she froze against the panels. A dim glow appeared on the +opposite wall as the closet door swung slowly back, and outlined in the +opening was the tall figure of Tunbridge. + + + + + Chapter X + + SURPRISES + + +Dorothy's experiences, since she had shopped for neckties for her father +that morning had been quite enough to lay up the average girl for a +week, and to wreck her nerves into the bargain. Laura Lawson's +appearance in her bedroom had strained tightened nerves to the breaking +point. + +The arrival of this second intruder was just too much. As the butler +stepped out of the closet and started to close the door, Dorothy's +self-control snapped like a rubber band. She forgot that she was playing +a part; that it might be suicidal to show her hand so early in the game. +Fear gripped her throat. Had this man been sent to kill her? If not, +then what was he doing, stealing into her room through a secret entrance +like an assassin of the middle ages? Self-preservation bade her act. The +consequences could take care of themselves. + +"Stop!" The harsh whisper, as her hand dove for Flash, sounded like the +voice of a stranger. "Move another step, and I'll pin you to that door!" +Flash was in her raised hand now, the extended blade reflecting the +light in the closet as though the polished steel were glass. + +She saw the man start in surprise and turn his head in her direction. As +she was about to hurl the knife, Tunbridge found his voice. + +"Ashton Sanborn sent me, Miss Dixon. Please don't throw that knife." + +Gone was the English accent, and the pompous intonation of the British +man servant. Tunbridge, if that were really his name, spoke the American +Dorothy was accustomed to hear, the accents of the cultured New +Englander. For the second time in her life, Dorothy fainted. + +She awoke to find herself in bed. Tunbridge was beside it. She could +just make out his tall, powerful figure in the darkness. + +"Goodness--did I faint?" she said weakly. + +"You certainly did, Miss Dixon." His tone was little above a whisper. +"Please don't raise your voice--and drink this. I found the aromatic +spirits of ammonia in the bathroom. You need something to steady you. No +one is cast iron--you've been through a frightful lot today." + +Dorothy took the glass and drained it. Then she lay back on her pillow. +"I got the scare of my life just now. Why didn't Ashton Sanborn tell me +about you, Mr.--" + +"Tunbridge is really my name, Miss Dixon. John Tunbridge, and very much +at your service. I was afraid my rather abrupt appearance would startle +you, and especially coming so soon after Mrs. Lawson's--er--visit. I got +a shock myself when I saw your white figure by the door just now, and +all ready to split me with that knife, like--like a macaroon." He +chuckled, and removing the tray, sat down on the chair beside her bed. + +"Oh, then you've seen Ashton Sanborn this evening, Mr. Tunbridge?" + +"Heard from him, Miss Dixon. As you must know by now, I am a secret +service operative and I am working under Mr. Sanborn. There isn't time +to go into detail now, but a couple of months ago, our department +received an anonymous letter saying that Doctor Winn would bear +watching. Shortly before that the Doctor had engaged Mrs. Lawson, who is +an expert chemist by the way, to take charge of his laboratory. Her +husband has been Doctor Winn's secretary since last spring. We thought +at that time that Mrs. Lawson might be the mysterious letter writer. +Since then we've altered our opinion. Mr. Sanborn decided that inasmuch +as Doctor Winn was working for the government it would be well to have a +secret service man in the house. We prevailed upon the butler here to +resign and I took his place." + +"Then Doctor Winn knows you're a government detective?" + +"No one in this house knows that, except you, Miss Dixon. The whole +matter was arranged through an employment agency. Doctor Winn and the +others here have no idea that I, like you, am simply playing a part." + +"Well, you're certainly a splendid actor, Mr. Tunbridge." + +"Thank you, Miss Dixon. As you've no doubt discovered, acting, +convincing acting, often plays a large part in our profession. You are +doing brilliantly in that respect yourself. Mr. Sanborn thought, +however, that it would be better if you did not know about me until the +necessity arose. Mrs. Lawson, he knew would be watching you like a hawk +when you arrived. If you had been aware of my identity, your position +would only have been more difficult. She might have had her suspicions +aroused in some way, which would have given you a wrong start from the +beginning. I think you will realize tomorrow how hard it will be to +treat me as though I were merely Tunbridge the butler." + +"Oh, I think you're right. Tell me, how did you find out about the +lemonade?" + +"I overheard the Lawsons talking, yesterday. Made it my business in +fact. It seems that Mrs. Lawson has had the idea that if Janet Jordan +was only shamming sleep at that meeting, she would do her best to +communicate with her father in some way. The natural thing to do would +be to write a note and slip it in his hand or his pocket, when he came +to see her. Martin Lawson was sure he would detect anything of the kind +when he brought Jordan to say goodbye to Janet tonight at the flat. If +not, the plan was to drug the girl with hot lemonade so that Mrs. Lawson +could search her belongings for the note tonight." + +Dorothy nodded. "I watched her closely while she was in here, and so far +as I could make out she didn't find anything that interested her +particularly. The Lawsons must have guessed wrong about Janet writing +her father." + +"Well, no, they didn't," declared her new ally. "Janet wrote a letter, +just as they surmised." + +"But where could it be?" asked Dorothy in a startled whisper, and sat +bold upright in bed. + +"Probably destroyed by this time," Mr. Tunbridge chuckled. "There's no +need to worry on that score, Miss Dixon. When Ashton Sanborn spoke to +your cousin this afternoon by means of Howard Bright's headphone set, he +learned that Janet proposed doing just what this clever pair here +figured upon. Of course she had already written the note, and as there +was no safe way to get rid of it in her room, he told her to take it +with her when she left. And now if you'll be good enough, I wish you'd +tell me what happened after you took her place in the flat." + +Dorothy gave him a short sketch of her encounter with her uncle and +Martin Lawson in Janet's room, and of the conversation between the two +men in the corridor afterward. "All the way up here," she ended, "I +pretended I had a grouch. Mr. Lawson tried to start a conversation +several times, but he soon found it wasn't much fun talking to himself +and he gave it up as a bad job." + +"Excellent," applauded the secret service man, "and quite in keeping +with your behavior in the flat. You have done most remarkably well, Miss +Dixon. Only--you won't mind if I warn you not to let first success make +you careless." + +"Do you really believe that these people mean to do away with me if they +discover I am not what I appear to be, Mr. Tunbridge? It sounds a bit +too melodramatic, don't you think?" + +"These Lawsons, husband and wife, are playing for gigantic stakes." The +detective's voice, though barely audible was extremely grave. "They will +stop at nothing. When crooks have at least two murders behind them, +they're not likely to stop at a third." + +"Then--then they are _not_ what they pretend?" + +"Certainly not. They're a pair of high class European crooks named +du Val." + +Dorothy shuddered. "And _murderers_!" + +"Undoubtedly. They're wanted both in England and in Austria for their +crimes." + +"How did you find that out?" + +"Oh, you see I recognized them when I arrived here, Miss Dixon." + +"But--but I can't see why--why you didn't arrest them then and there! +You knew that they were after the secret of Doctor Winn's new explosive, +or whatever it is he has invented." + +"Yes, we realized that the formula for Doctor Winn's explosive gas was +the magnet that drew the du Vals to this house; but until today we had +no idea how they proposed to dispose of the formula after stealing it." + +"I see. And now you realize that they probably intend to sell it to the +organization of which my uncle is a member?" + +"You are right, Miss Dixon." + +"Then why can't you arrest the Lawsons now?" + +"We can take the Lawsons at any time," Tunbridge explained. "But we want +to catch the ringleader of this organization. We know the group exists +and for no good purpose, but what their definite object may be we still +have no means of telling. We can't arrest them on suspicion alone. Once +they actually buy the formula from the Lawsons, it will be quite a +different matter." + +She shook her head slowly. "But why hasn't the formula been stolen +before this? They've had plenty of opportunity, surely--" + +"Because it is not completed. At dinner tonight I heard the Doctor say +that by tomorrow afternoon the work would be finished, and that he +expected to take the formula to Washington the day after tomorrow." + +"Then you expect?--" + +"I expect that the Lawsons will make their attempt tomorrow night." + +"And where do I come in on this business, Mr. Tunbridge?" + +"You are going to take the plans from Doctor Winn's safe before the +Lawsons get to it." + +She drew her breath sharply. "That's a pretty large order--" + +"I know it, but--of course you'll have the combination of the safe--" + +"Are you going to give it to me now?" + +"Too dangerous. They are quite capable of searching your belongings +again--or your person, for that matter--at any time. I'll get it to you +with exact instructions just as soon as the Doctor completes that +blooming formula and locks it in the safe." + +"That's all very well, Mr. Tunbridge. But has it occurred to you that if +I steal this paper--I suppose it will be a paper?--" + +"Probably several of them--" + +"Well, if I take these papers before the Lawsons can get them, how are +you going to arrest my uncle and the other men?" + +"You," directed Tunbridge, "will simply make a copy and replace the +original documents where you found them. This is a safety-first move. We +must have a copy in case the originals are destroyed." + +"It looks like a very complicated matter to me," Dorothy admitted +candidly. "Why not put the old gentleman wise? After all, it's his +formula, and if he made his own copy it would save us a possible run-in +with the Lawsons, and--" + +Mr. Tunbridge stood up. "Perhaps you're right," he said, making a brave +attempt to stifle a yawn, "but Doctor Winn would never agree to it. For +a scientist who dabbles in high explosives, he's the most nervous man +I've ever met. He'd give the whole show away. No, that's out of the +question. Doctor Winn must be kept in ignorance of the whole proceeding. +And now--" a yawn got the better of him this time-- "and now to bed. You +need sleep even more than advice just now. Good night, or rather, good +morning, Miss Dixon. Pleasant dreams, I hope." + +He started toward the door and Dorothy sprang out of bed and reached for +her dressing gown. + +"I want to see that secret passage, Mr. Tunbridge," she said in a low +tone. + +"Oh, yes, come along." He opened the door and stepped inside the closet. +"It works this way. Press your foot on the board in the farthest right +hand corner, like this, and a panel in the back wall slides up--like +that--" + +Dorothy stared at the gaping black hole, then as the detective-butler +snapped on his flashlight she saw that a narrow circular staircase led +downward in the wall. + +"That stair curves down to the ground floor," he explained. "It comes +out through the side wall inside the big fireplace in the hall. To open +the panel down there you press a button under the left-hand corner of +the mantel. To close either panel you simply put it down, once you're +inside." + +"Are there any more of these passages in the walls?" + +"Very likely, but I haven't found them yet. Winncote is an exact copy of +the Doctor's ancestral home in Wales. Those old houses were honeycombed +with priest holes, secret passages and whatnot. And Doctor Winn had his +architect copy the original Winncote across the water down to the last +stone, with modern improvements such as bathrooms and steam heat, +added." + +"Funny old fellow, isn't he?" commented Dorothy sleepily. "Then I'm +simply to carry on until I hear from you again?" + +"That's right. But whatever you do, watch your step with the Lawson +woman. She is fully as heartless as she is beautiful. If you had never +heard of that meeting in the Jordans' flat, it would be much better for +you. She will try to trap you, so please be on your guard continually. +Well, good night, again." + +"Good night, Mr. Tunbridge." + +The panel in the back wall of the closet slid into place, and Dorothy +went back to bed. She realized now that this matter of impersonating her +cousin was not going to prove to be the easy job she had fancied. A slip +on her part now would not only put her own life in danger, it would +probably ruin all government plans to apprehend these desperate +criminals. + +At last she fell into a troubled sleep wherein she dreamed that a long +circular staircase curved round and round her bedroom, and that Mrs. +Lawson, dressed as a butler, had set her to watch every step of it. + + + + + Chapter XI + + GRETCHEN + + +Dorothy awoke from troubled dreams to find that it was another day. +Through the open window she saw the swirl of snowflakes driven in a high +wind. The bedroom was cold and in the grey light of the winter morning +it had lost its cheerful air. + +She heard a knock on the door. + +"Who's there?" she called drowsily. + +"It's the maid, miss. Mrs. Lawson thought you might be wanting your +breakfast now." + +Dorothy looked at her wrist watch. The hands marked ten-thirty. She +jumped out on the rug, which felt cold and clammy under her bare feet, +went to the door and unlocked it. Then she scampered back to bed and +snuggled under the warm covers. + +In walked a trim little figure wearing the small white apron and gray +uniform of a chambermaid. Dorothy saw a round merry face, and a pair of +big blue eyes beneath the white lawn cap, and thick flaxen braids were +coiled round the neat head. She was surprised and somehow pleased to +discover that this attractive member of the household staff could not be +much more than sixteen, just her own age. + +The little maid shut the door softly, crossed to the window and closed +it, turned on the steam heat and came to the bedside. "Good morning, +Miss Jordan." She smiled engagingly. "I'm Gretchen, miss. Will you have +your breakfast in bed?" + +"Why, thank you, Gretchen--that will be cozy. But if it's going to give +you any trouble, don't bother." With the covers drawn up to her eyes, +Dorothy smiled back at the girl. + +"Oh, no, miss--it's no trouble at all." Gretchen was insistent. "It's +all ready now. I'll run down and bring it up." + +She whisked out of the room and Dorothy rolled over for another cat-nap. + +"If you'll be good enough to sit up now, Miss Jordan--I have your +breakfast here." + +Dorothy awoke again, yawned and stretched luxuriously. Gretchen stood +beside her bed with the breakfast tray. + +"If you'll be good enough to sit up, miss?" she repeated. + +Dorothy punched the pillows into position behind her, slipped the +quilted gown about her shoulders and leaned back. Gretchen moved +nearer--then almost dropped the tray. + +"Why--why--miss--" + +Dorothy leaned over and steadied the tray. "What's the matter, +Gretchen?" The little maid was staring at her open-mouthed, her big blue +eyes as round as saucers. + +"Oh, I--I beg your pardon, but it's--it's the resemblance, miss--Miss +Jordan." She set the tray over Dorothy's knees and drew back still with +that astonished look. "I couldn't see you very well before, miss, with +the covers up to your eyes. But when you sat up, it sure did give me a +start." + +"What do you mean, Gretchen? The resemblance to whom?" Dorothy, +outwardly calm, fingered her glass of orange juice, but her thoughts +raced toward this new complication. + +"Why, you look so much like Dorothy Dixon--the flyer, you know, miss. +She's my hero--I mean, heroine, Miss Jordan. I've read everything the +newspapers printed about her and Bill Bolton. You must have read about +them too, everybody has?" + +"Oh, yes, I've heard about them." Dorothy hoped her tone sounded +indifferent. "But you know, Gretchen, newspaper pictures are often very +poor likenesses." + +The girl smiled and nodded. "I know that, Miss Jordan. I've got them all +and there isn't no two of the pictures that looks alike." + +"Then how--?" + +"You see, it wasn't the newspaper pictures I was thinking of, miss, but +Dorothy Dixon herself. You see I know Miss Dixon," she went on proudly, +"and you two are certainly the spittin' images of each other, if you +don't mind my saying so." + +Dorothy minded very much, but it was not consistent with the part she +was playing to admit it. Here was a contretemps not even Ashton Sanborn +had foreseen. Yet, of course, New Canaan was only ten miles away. She +had many friends in Ridgefield, and she'd been there hundreds of times. +But she simply couldn't remember having seen Gretchen in any of their +homes. Her answer was but a feeble stall for time. + +"So you know her then?" she said lamely. + +"Oh, yes, miss. Not well, you understand. I saw her and Mr. Bill Bolton +first when they finished the endurance test on the Conway motor this +fall. Then a few days later, I drove over to her house in our +flivver--over to New Canaan, you know, and I called on Miss Dixon. I +wanted her to autograph a picture of herself I'd cut out of the Sunday +paper." + +"And you met her?" Dorothy remembered the incident perfectly now. But +the maid's uniform--and her hair--when she had seen her, Gretchen had +worn two braids over her shoulders, very much the schoolgirl. No wonder +she hadn't recognized her. But now what should she do? Would it be +possible to keep up this camouflage with a girl whom she had met and +with whom she would come in daily contact? Gretchen was talking again. + +"Yes indeed, I met her. And she was just darling to me, Miss Jordan. She +even gave me one of her own photographs and wrote on it, too. You see, +us Schmidts came over from Germany about a hundred years ago, but we're +honest-to-goodness Americans just the same. Father was in the American +army during the war. He was an aviation mechanic. He found one of them +Iron Crosses of the Germans on some battlefield in France and kept it +for a mascot. And would you believe it, miss, Father never even got +wounded once, the whole time he was over there! Perhaps it was the +little Iron Cross, and perhaps it wasn't. Anyway, he thought a lot of +his mascot. When I was ten years old, he had it fixed on a thin gold +chain for me to wear around my neck, and gave it to me on my birthday. +Well, when I went to see Miss Dixon this fall, I took it with me. She +goes up in her airplane so much and does so many other exciting things, +I wanted her to have it. She didn't want to take the cross at first, but +I persuaded her to, just the same. And you don't know how nice she was +to me, Miss! Took me out to see Will-o-the-Wisp--that's her plane, you +know--she calls it Wispy for short. And I had a perfectly grand time. +She's my heroine, all right. And you, miss--I hope you'll excuse me for +talking so much about it--but you look exactly like her, and your voices +are just the same, too. It's wonderful!" + +"So you are Margaret Schmidt," Dorothy said slowly. + +"Yes, miss, that is so, though everybody calls me Gretchen. How did you +know my given name, Miss Jordan? Is Miss Dixon a friend of yours? Did +she tell you about me? But that's silly--she wouldn't remember me." + +Dorothy looked the little maid straight in the eyes. "She remembers you, +Gretchen. Would you be willing to do something for her--to keep a +secret, a very important and maybe a dangerous one? Do you think you +could do it?" + +Gretchen looked awestruck, then she smiled. "Mother says I'm the +closest-mouthed girl she ever saw, miss. They could cut me in pieces +before I ever let out any secret of Dorothy Dixon's. I'd never tell--not +me! You can trust me, Miss Jordan." + +"I'm sure I can, Gretchen. And I'm going to." Dorothy slipped her hand +into the V-neck of her pajamas. "Remember this?" + +"Why--it's--it's my Iron Cross--that I gave Dorothy Dixon. How in the +world--?" + +"I am Dorothy Dixon." Dorothy broke into laughter at the bewildered +expression on the girl's face. + +"But--but I don't understand!" Gretchen stammered as though her tongue +was half-paralyzed. "I knew the resemblance was wonderful--but--they +said you were Miss Janet Jordan--and--" + +"You sit down on the end of the bed," said Dorothy, "I'll go on with my +breakfast before it gets cold, and explain at the same time. We won't be +disturbed, will we?" + +"Oh, no, miss." + +"How about your work, Gretchen? Will you be wanted downstairs?" + +"Mr. Tunbridge told me to unpack your trunk, miss--Miss Dixon--and to +make myself generally useful." + +"Fine," smiled Dorothy, pouring out a cup of coffee. "But keep on +calling me Miss Jordan--otherwise you'll be making slips in the name in +front of other people and that would be fatal." + +"Yes, Miss Jordan," Gretchen grinned happily. + +"After this beastly business is over," Dorothy went on, "we'll be +Gretchen and Dorothy to each other." + +The other girl looked a trifle embarrassed. "But I'm only a chambermaid, +Miss Jordan," she said shyly. + +"Don't be silly!" Dorothy waved away the argument with a sweep of her +spoon. "You're proving yourself a real friend--and that's that." + +"Very well, Miss Jordan." + +"Now pin back your ears, Gretchen." Dorothy lifted the cover from her +scrambled eggs. "I am taking my cousin, Janet Jordan's place as Mrs. +Lawson's secretary. Nobody in this house knows who I am except Mr. +Tunbridge, nor must they be given the slightest hint that I am anybody +but Janet Jordan. As you've probably guessed, Janet and I look almost +exactly alike. Our mothers were twins and that probably accounts for +it." + +"Gee--" breathed Gretchen. "It's just like a story in a book!" + +Dorothy bit into a slice of buttered toast. "Maybe it is," she admitted, +speaking with her mouth full. "But the point is that you and I are +living this story and it may come to a very abrupt and unpleasant ending +unless we're both terribly careful. Let's see--where was I? Oh, yes. Mr. +Tunbridge and I are working together on this case, working for the +United States Government." + +"Secret Service?" asked Gretchen in an awed whisper. + +"Yes." + +"Then I'll be working for the secret service too?" Dorothy could see +that the girl was very much impressed with the idea. + +"You will, Gretchen--that is, you are--under me. But don't get too +pepped up about it. The work we are on is serious and it is extremely +dangerous into the bargain. I wouldn't have brought you into it unless I +had to. Right now I haven't the slightest notion how you are going to be +fitted into the picture. But I couldn't have you going around, talking +about how much Janet Jordan looks like Dorothy Dixon, could I? Doctor +Winn and the Lawsons have no idea of either the resemblance or the +relationship. If that came out and they got wind of it--well, there's no +telling what might happen." + +"Especially," chimed in Gretchen, "after all the detective work you did +in those three big cases over to New Canaan this summer and fall." + +"You've got it," declared Dorothy, and sipped her coffee. "A robbery is +being planned here, Gretchen, a robbery of some very valuable papers +from Doctor Winn's safe. The thieves will probably try to pull it off +tonight. These papers, which have to do with an invention of the +Doctor's are worth a million dollars or more to any number of people. So +you see the thieves are playing for big stakes, and I might as well tell +you that they aren't the kind that would let a thing like murder stop +them. And now that you know the facts, are you willing to go on with +it?" + +Gretchen seemed horrified that Dorothy should doubt her. "Oh, Miss +Jordan, I don't want to get murdered any more than anybody else--but, +I'm not afraid--honest I'm not!" + +"I knew you were true blue," smiled Dorothy. "So we'll call it a deal, +shall we?" + +"You bet!" The two girls solemnly shook hands. "What do you want me to +do first, Miss Jordan?" Gretchen asked eagerly. + +"Move this tray onto the chair over there, please. Then while I'm taking +a bath and dressing you might unpack Janet Jordan's clothes. I'll choose +something to wear later." + +"Very good, Miss Jordan." The little maid took the tray, then stopped +short, her round blue eyes very serious. "But what about the secret +service work?" + +"Just carry on as usual for the present." Dorothy slipped out of bed. +"And remember--not a word to anyone about what I've told you--not even +Mr. Tunbridge. I don't know myself exactly what I'm to do yet. Mrs. +Lawson expects me downstairs in about half an hour, so I've got to +hustle. If I need your help later on, I'll get word to you somehow." + +"I hope you will need me, Miss Jordan." Gretchen was taking Janet's +frocks from the wardrobe trunk. + +"And I hope I shan't!" said Dorothy, and she disappeared into the +bathroom. + + + + + Chapter XII + + TESTS + + +Dorothy came down the wide staircase a few minutes before eleven-thirty. +She wore a dark blue morning frock of her cousin's, its simplicity +relieved only by the soft white collar and deep cuffs. Except for being +rather tight across the shoulders it fitted her as though she had been +poured into it. She had selected this dress because she knew it was just +the sort of thing a new secretary would be expected to wear. + +She crossed the broad hall to the open door of the library, and there +found Mrs. Lawson standing before a window staring into the storm. +Although Dorothy's footsteps made practically no sound on the thick pile +of the handsome Bokhara rug, the woman turned like a flash at her +entrance. + +"Oh, good morning, Janet." The frown on her face gave way to a pleasant +smile. "I hope you were comfortable last night. Did you sleep well?" + +"I dropped off as soon as my head touched the pillow," she answered, +taking Mrs. Lawson's outstretched hand. Dorothy did not believe in +telling a lie unless it was in a good cause; but when necessary, she +invariably made the lie a good one. + +"I hope the storm didn't wake you," smiled Laura, holding Dorothy's +hand. + +Dorothy did not reply at once. Two long fingers were lightly pressing +her wrist, and she saw that Mrs. Lawson's eyes had strayed to the +grandfather's clock in the corner of the room. "Test number one," she +said to herself. "Mrs. du Val, alias Lawson is counting my pulse. Well, +I've got a clear conscience, perhaps I can give her a shock." She drew +her hand away and answered the woman's question in her normal voice. +"Oh, the storm! No, I never heard it, Mrs. Lawson. If that hot lemonade +had been drugged, I couldn't have slept any sounder!" + +"What makes you say that?" snapped her employer, and beneath the velvet +tone, Dorothy sensed the ring of steel. + +She dropped her eyes, and turning toward the open hearth, held out her +hands to the crackling blaze. "Oh, I don't know," she said sweetly and +like the clever little strategist that she was, opened her own offensive +in the enemy's territory. "I have the bad habit of occasionally walking +in my sleep, Mrs. Lawson--and especially when I spend the night in a +strange bed. Perhaps it's nervousness--I don't know." + +Mrs. Lawson threw her a sharp glance. "Sit down, Janet," she suggested, +pointing to a chair near the fire, and taking one herself across the +hearth. "You're--I mean, you don't seem to be at all nervous this +morning." + +"Good old pulse!" thought Dorothy. Then aloud--"No, I feel splendidly, +thank you. But, you see, I didn't walk in my sleep last night." + +"But surely you can't tell when you do it!" + +"Oh, yes, I can." Dorothy's manner and tone were those of the simple +schoolgirl proud of an unusual accomplishment. + +"You don't expect me to believe that you know what you're doing when you +walk in your sleep, Janet. That's impossible!" + +"Not while I'm sleepwalking, Mrs. Lawson. That wasn't what I said--but +when I have been sleepwalking--there's a difference, you see?" + +"Well?" The lady of the house objected to being contradicted and took no +trouble to hide it. + +"It's really very simple," explained Dorothy, painstakingly, as though +she were speaking to a rather stupid child. "I found out how to do it. +You see, I've been walking in my sleep ever since I was a little thing. +When I get in bed at night I leave my slippers on the floor beside it +pointed outward--away from the bed. We all leave them that way, I guess. +It's the natural thing to do." + +"But what have slippers got to do with it?" Laura was becoming +impatient. + +"Everything, so far as I'm concerned, Mrs. Lawson. When I've been +walking at night, I always find them in the morning beside the bed, but +pointing _toward_ it. I evidently slip them off before I get back into +bed, and--" + +"I'm beginning to think you are quite a clever girl, Janet." + +"Oh, thank you," said Dorothy with a guilelessness that was sheer +camouflage. "Has anybody been saying I'm stupid? I've always stood high +in my classes at school." + +"Oh, not stupid, child--but nervous--perhaps a little unbalanced, +especially this past week." + +Dorothy raised her heavy lashes and looked Mrs. Lawson squarely in the +face. This might be a test she was undergoing and it probably was; but +here was a heaven sent chance to stir up discord in the enemy's camp. +She must work up to it gradually. + +"I know that I was nervous and upset past all endurance." She leaned +forward, her hands on the arms of the chair. "How would you like your +father to lock you in your bedroom for a week, without ever coming to +see you, or giving you any explanation for such outrageous treatment? Am +I a child to be handled like that? To be shipped up here to strangers, +whether I wanted to go or not? How would you feel about it, Mrs. Lawson, +if you were me? Don't say you would submit to it sitting down." + +"But I am taking you on as my secretary," the lady hedged. "Offering you +a good position for which you'll be paid twenty dollars a week. That's +not to be thought of lightly, especially in these times." + +"But it doesn't seem to strike you that I might like to have something +to say about it," Dorothy replied calmly. "As for the salary--that's no +inducement. My mother left me five thousand a year. I came into the +income on my last birthday, so you see I have nearly a hundred dollars a +week, whether I work or not." + +"I didn't know that, of course," Mrs. Lawson admitted and none too +graciously. "Your father wants you to be here while he's away. I hope +you aren't going to be difficult, Janet." + +"I hope not, Mrs. Lawson. I shall be glad to stay here for a while and +do the work you'd planned for me; but if I do, it must be as a guest and +not as a paid dependant." + +"But you are a guest, Janet." + +"I shall not accept a salary, Mrs. Lawson." + +"Very well, my dear, if you wish it that way." + +"Thank you very much." + +"To get back to our former topic," Mrs. Lawson said, and lit a +cigarette. "I can understand that your father's conduct in confining you +to your room might be exasperating--but why should it make you nervous? +And my husband tells me that when he visited you in your room you acted +as though you were in deadly fear of something or somebody every time he +saw you. What was the trouble, Janet? Was anything worrying you?" + +"Yes, there was, Mrs. Lawson." + +Dorothy looked down at the andirons, and her hands on the chair arms +twisted embarrassedly. From the corner of her eye she saw a smile of +satisfaction light up the older woman's face. She knew she was playing +with fire and that Mrs. Lawson was watching her as a hawk watches its +defenseless prey before it strikes. But all unknown to her inquisitor, +Dorothy had been leading her into this trap as a move forward in her own +game. Genuine dislike for the woman as well as a mischievous impulse on +her part drew her to make the scene as dramatic and convincing as +possible. + +"Yes--I--I--was afraid," she went on, dragging out the words slowly. + +"Then don't you think you'd better tell me about it, Janet? I'm nearly +old enough to be your mother. Let me take your mother's place, dear. +Give me your confidence. I feel sure I'll be able to help you, child." + +This reference to Janet's dead mother by a woman who was the vilest kind +of a hypocrite swept away Dorothy's last compunction. She herself was +going to commit justifiable libel. Mrs. Lawson, on the other hand, was +attempting to lead Janet Jordan into a confession of shamming sleep at +the fateful meeting a week ago. And such a confession meant a sentence +of death from this beautiful siren who gazed at her so winningly, who +puffed a cigarette so nonchalantly while she waited for an unsuspecting +girl to commit herself. + +"Well, I don't know--I can't help hesitating to tell _you_, Mrs. +Lawson," Dorothy began timidly. + +"There's no need to be afraid of anything," replied the woman, only half +veiling the sneer that went with the words. + +"Oh, but you see, there is, Mrs. Lawson!" Dorothy's manner was still +indecisive. "I don't want--in fact, I hate awfully to hurt you this +way." + +"Hurt me!" Mrs. Lawson's cigarette snapped into the fireplace like a +miniature comet. "Hurt me, child? What in the wide world are you talking +about?" + +"Just what I say, Mrs. Lawson." + +Mrs. Lawson sniffed. "Don't be ridiculous, Janet. Out with it now. What +did you fear when you were locked in your room?" + +"Your husband, Mrs. Lawson." + +"My husband!" + +"Yes." + +"But--why--I don't believe you." + +"Oh, very well. You asked the question, I was trying to answer it, +that's all." + +Mrs. Lawson bit her lip. She was furious. "As long as you've said what +you have, you'd better go on with it," she said acidly. + +"There isn't any more," returned Dorothy. "That's all there is." + +"But surely he must have given you reasons for your assertion." Mrs. +Lawson had walked beautifully into Dorothy's trap. Her own plan to snare +an unsuspecting girl had been blotted out by the shadow of the Green +Goddess, Jealousy. "Tell me what my husband did or said to make you fear +him, and tell me at once." + +"It wasn't what he did, Mrs. Lawson--it was the way he looked." + +"What do you mean--the way he looked?" + +Dorothy had thrust a painful knife into the mental cosmos of her +adversary. Now she deliberately turned it in the wound. "Very probably," +she said quietly, looking her straight in the eyes, "you can remember +how Mr. Lawson looked when he first made love to you. I don't want to be +made love to, and I don't like _him_, Mrs. Lawson." + +"What did you do?" + +"I told him to leave me--and when he would not go, I simply walked into +my bathroom and locked the door." + +"But what happened the next time he came? Martin went in to see you +every day, didn't he?" + +"He did. But he talked to me through the bathroom door. Just as soon as +I heard the key turn in the lock I'd hop in there." + +The man she had been talking about must have been listening just outside +in the hall, for now he strode into the room and up to Dorothy. "That," +he said menacingly, "is a deliberate lie, Miss Janet Jordan!" + + + + + Chapter XIII + + WINNITE + + +Dorothy looked up and smiled carelessly at the man. "You're very polite, +Mr. Lawson. Perhaps it isn't my place to say it to a man old enough to +be my father--but eavesdroppers rarely hear good of themselves." + +Martin Lawson, who prided himself upon his youthful appearance, grew +angrier than ever. "I--I won't stand for such outrageous libel," he +thundered. "I've always treated you as though you were my own--well, +daughter, if you like." + +"I _don't_ like it, Mr. Lawson--but that doesn't make any difference," +Dorothy's tone was one of pained acceptance. "If you listened long +enough, you will know that I didn't bring this matter up myself. Mrs. +Lawson was asking questions and I was trying to answer them, that's all. +If you prefer it, I'll say that it was the wind whistling outside the +windows that made me afraid." She looked over at Mrs. Lawson, who was +watching them through half shut eyes, as though to say, "--you +understand, of course--anything for peace." + +Martin Lawson intercepted the glance and became even more furious, if +that were possible. "You--you little viper!" he snarled. "Laura, don't +you believe a word of it. The whole thing's her own invention--a pack of +lies!" + +"A silly schoolgirl fancy, if you like, Martin." Laura Lawson's tone was +expressionless. "But I can understand it just the same. Yes, I can +understand it." + +"What do you mean--you understand it?" + +"I was a girl once myself," she replied in the same colorless tone. "And +then, you see, I know you very, very well." + +"Oh, you do, do you?" + +"He's off again," sighed Dorothy, but quite to herself. + +"And you have the nerve to insinuate--?" the angry man went on, beside +himself with rage. "You know as well as I do, Laura, that this girl was +afraid because of what she saw and heard at the meeting. She--" + +"That will be quite enough, Martin." His wife interrupted him sharply. +"And what is more--you probably have not noticed that since Janet has +been here and with other people, she is very much herself--and afraid of +nothing at all." + +"What meeting is he talking about, Mrs. Lawson?" Dorothy pointedly +ignored the angry husband. + +Mrs. Lawson stood up. "Never mind that now," she decreed, albeit +pleasantly. "Come along with me to my office. I have some typing I'd +like you to do for me before luncheon. Martin!" She swung round on her +husband. "You will wait here for me. I'll be back in a few minutes--I +want to talk to you." She slipped her arm through Dorothy's and drew her +from the room. + +Once in the entrance hall, she led her back and under the gallery to a +corridor which opened at the right of the broad stairs. Dorothy saw that +there were several doors in the right hand wall. Mrs. Lawson stopped at +the second of these and opened it. + +They walked in and Dorothy saw that they were in the office. It seemed +very businesslike and austere after coming from the luxury of the +library and spacious hall. Near the one window stood a broad table desk, +and opposite that a typewriter desk. Two steel filing cabinets and three +plain chairs completed the room's furnishings. The walls were hung with +framed blueprints and a large-scale map of Fairfield County, +Connecticut. + +Mrs. Lawson took some papers from a drawer in the large desk and handed +them to Dorothy. "This is in longhand, as you see," she explained, +"please type it, double space, and I'd like to have a carbon copy." She +glanced at a small wrist-watch set with diamonds. "It is just noon now. +Luncheon is at one. Do you think you can finish the work by that time?" + +Dorothy glanced at the manuscript. "This won't make more than four +typewritten sheets. I can do it easily in an hour and have time to +spare." + +"Good!" The older woman patted her lightly on the shoulder. "Take your +time about it. Do you think you can read my handwriting?" + +"Nothing could be plainer, Mrs. Lawson." Dorothy smiled back at her. + +"Very well, then. I'll see you at lunch. The dining room is across the +hall from the library." + +At the door, she stopped and turned as though she had just remembered +something. + +"Don't let what my husband said bother you, Janet." + +"That's forgotten already," Dorothy said easily. + +"Like most men, he flies off the handle when irritated. Pay no attention +to it." + +"I understand." + +Mrs. Lawson hesitated for the fraction of a second. "By the way, Janet," +she remarked. "When was the last time you walked in your sleep--that you +found your slippers pointed toward your bed in the morning?" + +Dorothy pretended to think. "Let me see," she said slowly. "Yes--it was +the night before Daddy locked me in my room! I found that I couldn't get +out in the morning, and naturally, I wanted to know the reason why. I +still do, for that matter. Except for some foolishness about my being +ill, I'm still waiting for an explanation. As a matter of fact, I was +perfectly well. I'm terribly annoyed, of course, and it worries me to +think that Daddy should act this way, but so far as my health goes, I've +never felt better." + +"I'm glad to hear it, dear. We'll check up on your father when he +returns. I'm your friend, you know. Don't let the matter prey on your +mind." + +"Thank you, Mrs. Lawson. I'll try to do as you say." Dorothy thought she +was going then, but it seemed that the woman had still another question +that she had been holding back. + +"When you are in this somnambulistic state," she said, "when you are +sleepwalking, I mean, doesn't it terrify you to awaken and find yourself +out of your bed?" + +Dorothy frowned and seemed puzzled. "Perhaps it would," she admitted. +"But then, you see, I can't remember ever wakening while I was walking +during the night. I must sleep very soundly. At school the night +watchman or one of the teachers would frequently find me walking about +the building. They would lead me back to bed, or just tell me to go +there, and I would always obey. Until they told me about it next day, I +knew nothing of course. That's how I got onto the business of the +slippers, you see." + +"Oh, yes. I wondered how you'd been able to check on it. Well, I must +trot along now and let you get to work. Until luncheon then, my dear." + +She was gone at last and Dorothy made a face at the closed door. "Of all +the plausible hypocrites I've ever met," she muttered, "you certainly +take the well known chocolate cake!" + +She sat down at the typewriter desk, pulled out the machine, and slipped +in two sheets of paper and a carbon that she found in one of the +drawers. Halfway through a perusal of Mrs. Lawson's first page, she +looked up. The door opened quickly and Mr. Tunbridge came into the room. + +"I've just a moment," he prefaced hurriedly. "They mustn't find me here. +What was the row in the library?" + +Dorothy explained briefly. + +"Fine! Put you through the hoops, eh? I had a good idea she would do +something of the kind. You came out of a difficult situation with flying +colors, I take it. But be careful about run-ins with Lawson. He's a +slick article--in fact, the two of them are a pair of the slickest +articles it's ever been my misfortune to run across. And they're going +it hammer and tongs in the library right now. I was a bit worried about +you, that's why I took this chance." + +"When do I get my instructions for tonight?" + +"Late this afternoon, probably. I'll get them to you somehow." + +"Thanks. And here's something else. This script I'm going to type for +Mrs. L. has to do with the properties of a highly explosive gas which +seems to burn up everything it comes in contact with and lets off fumes +of deadly poison while it's doing that! Shall I make a copy for you?" + +"Please do!" His hand rested on the doorknob. "Yes, it's important that +we have a copy. That's the stuff Doctor Winn has just invented, without +a doubt." + +"Awful!" exclaimed Dorothy. "Just think what would happen if that were +used in a war!" + +"That's the government's business, Miss Dixon." + +"'Ours but to do--and die--'" she quoted and her tone was deadly +serious. + +"Quite right. But make the carbon copy just the same--and don't let them +catch you at it." + +"I won't, Mr. Tunbridge." + +"Bye-bye, then. I'll get along now. There may be some home truths +floating out of the library that will give me extra dope on the +du-Val--Lawson pair." + +The door closed, and after slipping an extra carbon and a sheet of very +thin copy paper into the typewriter, Dorothy read Mrs. Lawson's treatise +on "Winnite and Its Properties" from start to finish. + +"Horrible!" she murmured, as she finished reading. "Simply horrible!" +Again her eyes sought the last paragraph. "The effect is easily +estimated of an airplane dropping a single bomb filled with the +explosive, inflammable and deadly poison gas, Winnite, upon Manhattan +Island, for instance: the bomb would explode upon detonation and within +an inconceivably short space of time, not only would the City of Greater +New York be in flames, but every living thing within that area would be +dead from the poison fumes. This includes not only human, animal and +insect life, but all vegetable matter as well." + +Dorothy sighed. "And I am supposed to help keep this terrible stuff from +the hands of thieves so that our government may use it in time of war. +Well--we'll see--and that's not that by a long shot!" + +She put down the manuscript and began to type it. + + + + + Chapter XIV + + PROFESSOR + + +Dorothy, upon finishing the article on Winnite, laid the original and +first carbon copy of the typewritten sheets on Mrs. Lawson's desk. The +almost transparent sheets of the second carbon copy she folded carefully +as though she meant to place them in an envelope. But instead of this, +her right foot slipped out of its walking pump, the sheer silk stocking +followed it. Then she put on the stocking again, but now the soft papers +rested between the stocking and the sole of her foot. The pump fitted +more snugly than before, although not uncomfortably so. Content with her +morning's work, she had closed the typewriter and was studying the +effect of a new shade of powder in her compact mirror when Mrs. Lawson +came into the room. + +"I take it you've finished the work?" + +"The original and copy are beside the longhand manuscript on your desk," +said Dorothy, toning down her efforts with the puff. "I've read it over +and I don't think you'll find any mistakes." + +Mrs. Lawson ran her eyes over the typewritten sheets. "They are without +a fault," she declared, placing them in a drawer. "If you take dictation +as accurately as you type, Janet, you'll be the perfect secretary." + +"Thank you," said Dorothy demurely and slipped the compact into the +pocket of her frock. "It is very nice of you to say that." + +"Then we'll go in to luncheon, shall we? That is, if you're ready?" + +Dorothy stood up. "Quite ready, Mrs. Lawson, and good and hungry, too." + +"Splendid!" enthused her hostess, as they walked down the corridor +toward the entrance hall. "Doctor Winn declares this Connecticut Ridge +country is the most healthful section of the United States. And even if +some people have other ideas on the subject, I can testify that it is a +great appetite builder." + +Dorothy smiled, but said nothing. She was wondering how healthful she +was going to find this particular spot in the Ridge country after what +she had to do tonight. + +"Doctor Winn always lunches in his study," continued Mrs. Lawson. "That +is the room just beyond my office. My husband has been called to New +York on business. He won't be back until after dinner tonight, so we +will be alone at luncheon." + +For some reason of her own, Laura Lawson had become affability itself. +And for this Dorothy gave thanks. That she disliked this truly beautiful +creature was only natural. But it is much more pleasant to lunch with a +person who puts herself out to be charming and affable, no matter what +your private opinion of the other's character may be. + +The dining room proved to be a low-ceiled apartment paneled in white +pine; heavy beams of the satin-finished wood overhead, and on the walls +several colorful landscapes in oils, evidently the works of artists who +knew and loved this Ridge country. A cheerful log fire burned brightly +on the open hearth beneath a high mantelpiece. Outside, the heavy snow +continued to drive past frosted window-panes, but within all was warmth +and coziness. + +Dorothy enjoyed the meal thoroughly. Like most girls, she revelled in +luxury when it came her way. Not only was her hostess an interesting and +entertaining conversationalist, the delicious food served by Tunbridge +and a second man in plum-colored knee breeches, added materially to her +pleasure. She was really sorry when the butler lighted his mistress' +cigarette and Mrs. Lawson rose from the table. + +"I have no work for you this afternoon, Janet," said the lady, as they +strolled into the spacious hall with its suits of polished armor and +trophies of war and the chase decorating the walls. "I have some work to +complete with Doctor Winn, so I won't be free to entertain you. There +are periodicals and novels in the library. If it weren't such a beastly +day, I would suggest a walk." + +"Oh, I don't mind a snowstorm!" Dorothy smiled at her. "I'd love to be +out in it for a while." + +"But I'm afraid you might get lost. The blizzard is driving out of the +northeast--and that means something in this country. You'll find it more +disagreeable than you think." + +"I'm not afraid to walk in a blizzard," Dorothy argued, "we used to do +it a lot at school--I love it." + +"Oh, very well, then," went on Mrs. Lawson. "I used to enjoy that sort +of thing myself. Somebody had better go with you, though. Let me see--" +She hesitated. "Oh, yes--Gretchen will be just the person. She's a nice +little thing--a native of Ridgefield, you know. Gretchen can show you +round the place, and there'll be no chance of your getting lost." + +Dorothy was amused by this pretended concern for her safety. She knew +that Mrs. Lawson feared she might take it into her head to walk to the +railroad station and board the first train back to town. Gretchen as +guide and chaperone would be able to forestall anything like that. Mrs. +Lawson was not yet sure of the new secretary! + +Dorothy's features betrayed no sign of her thoughts. "That will be ever +so much pleasanter than going alone," she agreed. "Gretchen seems to be +a sweet girl. I saw her this morning when she brought my breakfast and +unpacked my clothes. I'm sorry, though, that you can't come too." +Deception, she found, was becoming a habit when treating with her +hostess. + +"Thank you, my dear--I'm sorry, too." Mrs. Lawson went toward the +tasselled bell rope that hung beside the fireplace. "Run upstairs now +and get into warm things. I'll ring for Gretchen and have her meet you +down here in quarter of an hour." + +Fifteen minutes afterward, warmly dressed in whipcord jodhpurs, a heavy +sweater and knee-length leather coat of dark green, Dorothy came out of +her room onto the gallery, pulling a white wool skating cap well down +over her ears. With a white wool scarf twisted about her throat, the +long ends thrown back over her shoulders, she looked ready for any +winter sport as she ran lightly down the stairs, the rubber soles of her +high arctics making no sound on the broad oaken steps. + +Gretchen, well bundled up in sweater and heavy tweed skirt was waiting +for her. + +"You certainly do look like a picture on a Christmas magazine cover, +Miss Jordan," the girl exclaimed, while they walked to the front door. +"I'm glad you've got warm gauntlets. It's mighty cold out--you'll need +them." + +Dorothy laughed gaily and swung open the door. "Nothing could be more +becoming than your own costume, Gretchen. That light blue skating set is +just the color of your eyes." + +"That," chuckled Gretchen, "is the real reason I bought it." + +They were outside now and standing under the wide porte-cochere of glass +and wrought iron. + +"It's glorious out here, and not too cold, either." Dorothy sniffed the +sharp air enthusiastically. "I hate staying indoors on a wild day like +this. Look at those big flakes spinning down and sideslipping into the +drifts. It makes one glad to be alive." + +"You said it, Miss Jordan. I love it myself--though I never thought of +snowflakes being like airplanes before. Which way do you want to go?" + +"You're the leader, Gretchen. Anywhere you say suits me." + +"Then let's tramp over to the pond, Miss Jordan. The ice ought to be +holding. We'll stop at the garage and fetch a broom along. There's too +much snow for skating, but we might make a slide." + +"That will be fun," agreed Dorothy, as they came down the steps and +swung along the white expanse of driveway. "I haven't done anything like +that since I was a kid. How far's the pond from here?" + +"About half a mile. Doctor Winn owns several hundred acres. It's down +yonder in a hollow. This time of year when the trees are bare, you can +see it plainly from the house. Today there's too much snow." + +"There certainly is plenty of it!" Dorothy was ploughing through the +fluffy white mass nearly up to her knees. "A good eighteen inches must +have fallen already and it's drifting fast. If it doesn't stop by +tonight, Winncote will be snowed in for a while. What's that building +over there, Gretchen--gray stone, isn't it?" + +"That's the laboratory, miss. It's really a wing of the house. The +stables are just beyond, but this storm's so thick, it blots them out. +Well, here we are at the garage. If you'll wait a minute, I'll step +inside and get a broom." + +"Get two if you can," suggested Dorothy. "Then we'll both get some +exercise, and they'll come in handy while we're getting through the +drifts." + +"I'll do my best," said Gretchen. She disappeared through a door in the +side of the building. + +Dorothy looked about her. Rolling clouds of windswept snowflakes made it +impossible to see objects more than a few yards away with any +distinctness. The dark shadow of low clouds painted the white of her +landscape a cold, dull gray. But she noticed, as she waited, that the +storm was driving in gusts, that occasionally there would be a short +lull when the sun, tinging the sky with rose and yellow, seemed fighting +to break its way through to this white-blanketed world. Then Gretchen, a +broom in each hand, joined her. + +"Whew! that place was stuffy," she said, handing one of the brooms to +Dorothy, and starting ahead at right angles from the way they had come. +"Hanley made a fuss giving me two--he would! It's a wonder the cars +don't melt in there. He keeps the place like an oven. All the help from +the city is like that. They can't seem to get warm enough, and the way +they hate fresh air is a caution! I roomed with Sadie, the other +chambermaid, when I first came, and you won't believe it, but that girl +had nailed our window shut so it couldn't be opened! I spoke to Mr. +Tunbridge next morning, and he gave me a room of my own. I always did +like Mr. Tunbridge. He's a real gentleman, he is." + +They forged ahead through the drifts to the crossfire of Gretchen's +light chatter, and Dorothy was given a series of entertaining stories +concerning the habits of the Winncote servants and their life +below-stairs. It was rough going with the storm in their faces, and +Gretchen eventually ceased her gossiping from sheer lack of breath. The +ground began to slope gently downward, and finally they came to a belt +of trees in a hollow. Fifty yards farther on, a broad expanse of white +marked the extent of Winncote Pond beneath its thick, flat quilt of +snow. + +"Think the ice will hold?" Dorothy walked to the brink of the little +lake. "I'd hate to go in on a day like this." + +"Oh, that's all right. I was down here for an hour yesterday afternoon +with my skates before the snow began, and it was much warmer then. The +ice was wonderful--slick as glass and solid as a rock." + +By dint of considerable exercise they cleared two narrow paths that ran +parallel across the ice. Then they commenced a series of sliding +contests, each girl on her own ice track. Starting at a line in the snow +a few yards above the low bank, they would race forward to the brink and +shoot out on the ice, vying with each other to see who could slide the +farthest. There were several tumbles at first, but the deep snow along +the sides of the tracks prevented bad bumps. Soon, however, they both +became adepts at the sport. Dorothy, aided by her extra weight, for she +was at least twenty pounds heavier than little Gretchen, invariably won. + +After a half an hour of this rather violent sport, they cleared the snow +from a fallen tree trunk and sat down for a rest. Here in the hollow, +surrounded by trees, the wind lost a great deal of its force. But the +snow continued to fall unabated, and their hot breath clouded like steam +in the cold air. Their cheeks were tingling crimson from the racing, and +both felt in high good spirits. + +"I can't understand why so many rich people go south every winter," +Gretchen said earnestly. "I wouldn't miss out on this fun--the snow and +the skating, tobogganing--for anything in the world." + +"People like that," decreed Dorothy, "just don't know how to live. You +can have lots of fun in summer, of course. I don't know which I love the +best. But this sort of thing makes you feel just grand. It certainly put +the pep into--." She stopped short and sprang to her feet. From +somewhere close by and seemingly below her, had come a low, moaning +sound. + +Gretchen jumped up. Her doll-like face with its round, blue eyes took on +a look of startled wonder. "What was that?" she cried. "It sounded as if +I--as if I was sitting on it!" + +Again came the low cry in a weird, minor key. + +"You were. It's coming from the inside of this log. An animal of some +kind." + +"Why, I guess you're right. Whatever it is, the thing gave me the +heebie-jeebies for a minute." + +The snow had drifted over the butt of the half-rotted tree. Dorothy took +her broom and swept it clear. + +"The log's hollow!" she exclaimed and bent down. "Yes, there's something +in there--I can see its eyes--come here, Gretchen! You can see for +yourself." + +"Not me!" declared that young woman. "I don't want to get bit--I mean, +bitten, miss." + +"Oh, never mind the grammar." Dorothy was almost standing on her head, +trying to get a better view. "But do cut out the polite trimmings when +we're alone. You're Gretchen and I'm Dorothy--savez?" + +"All right--Dorothy. But please be careful. That thing may jump out at +you." + +"I wish it would. Then I'd know what it is. And whatever it is, the +animal in there can't be much bigger than a rabbit. The hole isn't wide +enough." + +"Maybe it is a rabbit." Gretchen came nearer. + +"Did you ever hear a rabbit make a noise like that?" Dorothy's tone was +disdainful. + +"Then--maybe it's a wildcat!" said Gretchen fearfully. + +"Well, if it is, it's a small one. Here, puss--puss. The silly thing is +too far in to reach. She just blinks at me." + +"Perhaps she's hurt and crawled in there to die, Dorothy." + +"Aren't you cheerful! She probably crawled in there to get out of the +storm, and is half-frozen, poor thing." + +"Well, I don't know what we're going to do about it," sighed Gretchen, +still keeping her distance. + +Once more the low moan came from the log, but now that the end was free +from snow, the sound was much clearer. + +"That's no wildcat, either!" Dorothy twisted her head, first to the +right, then to the left, in an attempt to get a better light on the +log's occupant. "There's too much of a whine in that cry. The thing's +probably a young fox. How does one call a fox, Gretchen? I'm hanged if I +know." + +"Nor me, neither, Dorothy. It's the first time I've ever heard of +anybody wanting to call one." + +They both laughed. "You don't seem to know much about foxes," teased +Dorothy. "Didn't you ever see a fox?" + +"No. But my father says the way they steal eggs and suck them is a +caution." + +"Well," admitted Dorothy, "we can't stand around here all day, trying to +get frozen foxes out of hollow logs. I'll try whistling, and you can +make a noise like a sucked egg. If that doesn't work, we'll have to +leave him in his lair." With a wink at the giggling Gretchen, she bent +down again and whistled shrilly. "Here, boy!" she called. "Come on out +to your mama!" + +There was a scrambling noise within the log, and Gretchen started for +the pond. + +"Oh, be careful, Dorothy! Do be careful!" she cried, as she saw her +friend gather a small creature into her arms. "What is it, anyway--is it +a fox?" + +"No, a first cousin." Dorothy shook the ends of her wool scarf free from +snow and wrapped them around the small animal. + +"A first cousin?" Gretchen came nearer. "What in the world do you mean +by that?" + +"Come and take a look," her friend invited. "He won't bite you, will +you, boy?" + +Gretchen saw her pat a little black nose that poked its way out of the +scarf. A long pointed head, brindle and white, in which were set two +snapping black eyes, followed the nose. "Why, why, it's a fox terrier--a +fox terrier puppy!" she gasped. "How do you suppose he ever came to +crawl into that log?" + +Dorothy patted the dog's head. "Got lost in the storm, I guess. The poor +little chap can't be over three months old. Does he belong up at the +house?" + +"No, he doesn't. What's more, none of the people who live around here +have a fox terrier pup that I know of." + +Dorothy examined the pup's front paws, but did so very gently. "This +little man has come a long way." She covered him again. "The bottom of +his feet show it. They're cut and badly swollen. And he's half-frozen +and starved into the bargain, I'll bet. Let's go back to the house and +make him comfortable." + +"I'll carry the brooms," said Gretchen. "You have an armful, with him. +By the way, you're going to keep him, aren't you?" + +"Surest thing you know! That is, unless someone comes to claim him." + +They trudged off through the trees and up the hill, Gretchen shouldering +the brooms. + +"What are you going to call him?" she asked, after a while. + +"What do you think?" + +"Why, I don't know. Wait a minute, though--there's a girl who lives over +in Silvermine named Dorothea Gutmann. Daddy sometimes does work for her +father. Dorothea has a fox terrier pup and she calls him 'Professor.' Do +you know why?" + +"I give up," said Dorothy, floundering through the snow beside her. "Why +does Dorothea Gutmann call her fox terrier pup Professor?" + +"Because," smiled Gretchen in delight, "he just about ate up a +dictionary!" + +Dorothy laughed merrily, and hugged the warm little bundle in her arms. +"And when you've got outside a lot of words like that, even a pup would +know as much as the average professor, I s'pose." + +"That's the way Dorothea thought about it. I've been over to the +Gutmanns a couple of times with Daddy and her dog looks enough like +yours to be a twin!" + +"We run into doubles nowadays, every day!" Dorothy chuckled. "First it's +Janet and me who can't be told apart. Then it's Dorothea's dog and mine. +I know her, too, by the way. She's in the New Canaan Junior High. But I +haven't seen her puppy. Our names are almost alike, too, but not quite, +thank goodness. If any more of this double identity business comes +along, I'll just have to give up. A girl's got to have some sort of a +personality all her own, you know." + +"I wouldn't let that worry me," said Gretchen. "There's only one Dorothy +Dixon, after all." + +"Thanks for those kind words, Gretchen. That's really very sweet of you, +though. If the pup was a lady, I'd call him 'Gretchen'. Since he isn't, +'Professor' will do very nicely. We'll try him on a dictionary when we +get home, that is, after he's had some nice warm bread and milk, and a +good sleep." + +"If," smiled Gretchen, "what you said just now was meant for a +compliment--well, I'm glad Professor is not a lady. You'd better go on +to the house, while I drop these brooms in here at the garage. I'll come +to your room just as soon as I can slip into my uniform, and I'll bring +up the bread and milk." + +"I always knew you were a dear," said Dorothy, and she continued to push +her way on toward the house. + + + + + Chapter XV + + TEA AND ORDERS + + +After she had changed her clothes and fed the famished pup with a bowl +of warm milk and bread, Dorothy took him down to the library. Gretchen +brought a small open basket and a blanket and they made him a bed near +the open fire. Professor promptly went to sleep, and his mistress curled +up in a deep chair beside him, reading and dozing for the rest of the +afternoon. To amuse Gretchen, she had placed a dictionary near the +basket, to see if Professor would follow his double's example and so +justify his name. When he awoke, however, about four o'clock, he merely +jumped out of his bed on to the book, and up to Dorothy's lap, where he +went to sleep again. + +"Good ole pup!" Dorothy rubbed his smooth, warm head between his ears. +"You show your intelligence by using the dictionary as a stepping stone +to better things, don't you, Prof!" + +She yawned, closed her book, and promptly went to sleep again herself. + +She awoke with a start, to find Mrs. Lawson smiling down at her. +Tunbridge was laying the tea-things on a table at the other side of the +fire. "Well, my dear," the lady said, her eyes on the fox terrier, "I +see you've found a new friend." + +"Oh, yes, isn't he just too darling? I found him out in the blizzard, he +was half frozen and almost starved!" She went on to tell Mrs. Lawson +about it. + +"I'm afraid I'm not very fond of animals, Janet." Dorothy noticed that +she did not attempt to touch the puppy. "I don't dislike them, you +understand, but somehow they never seem to like me." + +"That's too bad," said Dorothy. "I do hope you won't mind my keeping +him--at least until we learn who his owner is?" + +Laura Lawson looked doubtful. "Well, I don't mind. But--this is Doctor +Winn's house, you know, and his decision, after all, is the one that +counts. You will have to ask him about keeping the dog, Janet." + +"Is Doctor Winn going to have tea with us, Mrs. Lawson?" + +"He most certainly is, my dear. That is, if you ladies will pour him a +cup." + +Dorothy glanced up, and beside her stood an old gentleman, very tall and +spare, but bowed with the weight of his years. She knew that the +scientist was well over eighty. Catching up the fox terrier, she rose to +her feet. + +"How do you do, Doctor Winn?" She smiled and offered him her hand. + +The old gentleman bent over it with courtly grace. "Good afternoon, Miss +Janet Jordan. Welcome to Winncote." Merry gray eyes twinkled at her from +behind pince-nez attached to a broad black ribbon. An aristocrat of the +old school, Dorothy thought, as she studied his handsome, clean shaven +face crisscrossed with the tiny wrinkles of advanced age. She had +imagined him to be quite a different sort of person. His next words +proved that he read her thoughts. + +"You expected to see a musty old fellow, with a long white beard, +wearing a smock stained by chemicals, eh?" He chuckled softly. "Now, +tell me, young lady, isn't that so? Though I admit these flannel slacks +and old Norfolk jacket are hardly fashionable habiliments when one is +taking tea with ladies!" + +He released her hand and smiled a greeting to Mrs. Lawson. The second +footman, he of the plum-colored knee-breeches, set the tea table before +that young matron, under the supervision of the stately Tunbridge. + +Dorothy liked this gallant old scientist and his courtly ways. Her own +eyes sparkled gaily back at him. "Yes, you did surprise me, Doctor +Winn," she confessed. "Please don't think I'm being forward, but--but +you seem much more like the English fox-hunting squires I've read about, +than the world-renowned chemist you really are, with stacks of letters +after your name. But ever so much nicer, and jollier, you know!" + +Doctor Winn beamed. "Now that, my dear, is a most charming compliment. +Old fellows like me aren't used to compliments from young ladies, +either. Do sit down again, please, and tell me how you like Winncote and +our New England snowstorms. We old people need young folks around. I can +see that we are going to be good friends." + +He sat down in a chair the butler drew up for him. + +"Mrs. Lawson will tell you," replied Dorothy, "that I love it out here +in the country." She accepted a cup of tea from Tunbridge and added +sugar and a slice of lemon. The butler was followed by his liveried +assistant, bearing silver platters of hot, buttered scones and tiny iced +cakes. Professor immediately began to show interest in the proceedings. +Dorothy held him firmly out of harm's way, and placed her tea and +eatables on the broad arm of her chair. + +Mrs. Lawson looked up from her place behind the shining silver and old +china of the tea table. She smiled graciously. "Oh, yes, Janet loves +blizzards, too, Doctor Winn. She went out for a walk this afternoon and +acquired a fox terrier puppy, as you see." + +"And naturally, she wants to keep him." The old gentleman leaned forward +in his chair, the better to look at Professor. "You certainly may, +Janet. And by the way, I hope you'll agree that it's an old man's +privilege to call you by your first name?" + +"Oh, that is sweet of you!" Dorothy cried delightedly, and the Doctor's +chuckle echoed her pleasure. + +"The dog's got a fine head--a very fine head, indeed. If anybody +advertises for him, or comes to claim him, I'll take pleasure in buying +the puppy for you." + +"Why, you're nicer every minute," declared Dorothy. "Isn't he, +Professor?" + +The pup yawned with great indifference, which set all three of them +laughing. His mistress put him in his blanket where he promptly curled +up and fell into slumber once more. + +"I sadly fear," said Doctor Winn, as he polished his pince-nez with a +white silk handkerchief, "that you are a good deal of a flirt Janet. But +inasmuch as I am old enough to be your grandfather, or +great-grandfather, for that matter, you are pardoned with a reprimand." +He chuckled deep in his throat, a habit he had when pleased. "Now tell +me, how you happened to find him out in the snow." + +Dorothy recounted the story in detail. When she came to the part about +Gretchen's fear of the wildcat and the fox, even Mrs. Lawson, who was +none too sure she liked the turn things were taking, broke into a merry +peal of laughter. + +"Capital, capital!" Doctor Winn beamed. "I only wish I'd been there to +see it. But why, may I ask, do you call him Professor?" + +Dorothy explained about the dictionary and Gretchen's idea of the pup's +resemblance to Dorothea Gutmann's fox terrier. + +"Better and better," exclaimed the Doctor. "This is the jolliest tea +we've had in this house for ages. We need young people around us to be +really happy. You and I and Martin, Laura, have been working too hard of +late. 'All work and no play'--We've been bothering too much about things +scientific, and neglecting things personal. Well now, we can rest a +while, and become human beings again." + +Mrs. Lawson leaned forward eagerly. "Then, the formula is complete?" she +asked in a low voice, in which Dorothy detected the barely controlled +tremor of excitement. + +"Yes, indeed. Finished and locked in my safe. I added the final figures +and quantities three-quarters of an hour ago. Tomorrow, or if the +weather doesn't clear by then, the next day at latest, I shall take it +on to Washington." + +"I congratulate you, Doctor. And I know that once it is in the hands of +the government, a great load will be taken off your mind." + +"You're right, my dear, you are right. I've been jumpy as a cat with +eight of its lives gone for the past year." He turned to Dorothy. "Thank +goodness, you're young and without responsibilities, Janet. There are so +many unscrupulous people about nowadays. If those papers were lost or +stolen, there is no telling what would happen. I dare not think of it. +The whole world might suffer if that formula got into the wrong hands!" + +Dorothy could not help thinking that the world at large would be much +better off if the formula were destroyed. She, therefore, merely nodded +and looked impressed. How this gentle, kindly old man could have brought +himself to invent such a ghastly menace to life, she found it difficult +to understand. + +Laura Lawson stood up. "Doctor Winn likes to dine early, Janet, so if we +are to be dressed by six-thirty, we had better start upstairs." + +"My word, yes!" The old gentleman snapped open the hunting case of his +repeater and got stiffly to his feet. "Time flies when one is enjoying +oneself. It's nearly six o'clock. This has been very pleasant indeed, +the first of many afternoons, I hope." He snapped the watch shut and +returned it to his pocket. "You ladies will excuse me, I'm sure." He +bowed to them both, and holding himself much more erect than he had +formerly, walked stiffly from the room. + +"He's simply darling," exclaimed Dorothy in a hushed voice. + +"Yes, he's a very simple and a very fine old gentleman," said Laura +Lawson. She seemed lost in her thoughts and evidently unaware that she +uttered them aloud. "Sometimes--I hate to hurt him so." + +"Why--why, what do you mean?" Dorothy could have bitten her own tongue +out for speaking that sentence. + +"Mean--? Oh, nothing, child. Run along now, and change. But take your +dog with you. I'll see that one of the men gives him a run in the +stables while we're at dinner." + +"Thank you very much," said Dorothy. She turned the sleeping pup out of +his bed, caught up the basket, and with Professor at her heels, ran +lightly from the room. + +Just outside the door she collided with Tunbridge, and Professor's +basket was jerked from her grasp. + +"Oh, I'm so very sorry, Miss Jordan!" His acting was perfect. Dorothy +knew that Mrs. Lawson was close behind them. Then as they both stooped +to retrieve the basket their heads came close together. "Under your +pillow!" It was hardly more than the breath of a whisper, but Dorothy +caught the words, nodded her understanding, and stood up. + +"I'm afraid I'm to blame, Tunbridge. I didn't see you coming." + +"Not at all, Miss. It was my fault, entirely. Very clumsy of me I'm +sure!" + +From the corner of her eye Dorothy caught a glimpse of Laura Lawson +watching them from the doorway. + +"Don't let it worry you, Tunbridge. I'm not hurt, neither is the basket. +Professor will probably park himself on my _pillow_ tonight, anyway. +Puppies have a way of doing such things, you know. So it really wouldn't +matter much if you had smashed it." + +She gave him a nod, and picking up the dog made for the staircase. + +"So instructions are waiting under my pillow," she mused, as she slowly +mounted the broad stair. The afternoon had been a pleasant one, but the +evening, with those instructions ahead of her, portended to be something +quite different. It had been so nice and cheerful, chatting round the +tea table; so cozy sitting before the glowing logs, just talking of +jolly things and forgetting all worry and responsibility. Of course, +beyond the curtained windows, the blizzard howled. And it whipped the +swirling snowflakes into disordered clouds with its arctic lash before +it let them seek the shelter of their fellows in the drifts. She felt +very much as though she too were a snowflake, tossed hither and thither +on the storm of circumstance, to be whipped forward by the secret lash +of underlying crime. + +If she could only drop down on to her bed and sleep--and awake to find +it all a bad dream! She sighed and went toward her door on the gallery. +Her pillow held no peace for her tonight--nothing more nor less than +detailed instructions as to how Tunbridge wished her to rob a safe. Why +didn't the man do his own stealing? Her part was to take Janet's place +out here, and kill suspicion in Laura Lawson. Well, she'd done that, +hadn't she? And now they loaded this other job on to her. It wasn't +fair. She had done enough--she'd-- + +"Oh, shucks!" She pulled herself up mentally as her hand fell on the +doorknob. "I'll be losing my nerve altogether, if I let my thoughts run +on this way. D. Dixon, you just _must not_ funk it!" + +She turned the knob and entered her room. + + + + + Chapter XVI + + CAUGHT IN THE ACT + + +When Dorothy went down to dinner that evening, she knew exactly what she +had to do. After reading Tunbridge's note which she found had been +slipped between the pillow case and the pillow itself, she had memorized +the combination to Doctor Winn's safe, and destroyed the missive as she +had his warning of the night before. After a bath and a complete change +of clothing, she felt refreshed and in a much better frame of mind. She +had selected one of the prettiest gowns in Janet's wardrobe, a turquoise +blue crepe, with a cluster of silver roses fastened in the twisted +velvet girdle, put on slippers to match, and surveyed the result in the +mirror. + +"Decidedly becoming, my girl," she smiled at her reflection, and gave a +last pat to her shining bob that she had brushed until it lay like a +bronze cap close about her shapely head. "Might as well look my best at +my criminal debut!" She made a face at herself, turned and kissed the +sleeping puppy in his basket, and went downstairs. + +Doctor Winn and Mrs. Lawson were standing talking in the entrance hall, +near the fireplace. The old gentleman, dressed in immaculate dinner +clothes, looked more than ever like the English squire in his ancestral +hall. He came forward to meet her, both hands outstretched. + +"As charming as an English primrose and twice as beautiful!" he greeted +gaily. + +"Thank you kindly, sir." She dropped him a little curtsey and let him +lead her to Mrs. Lawson. + +"Our little secretary has blossomed into a very lovely debutante," he +beamed. + +Dorothy bit her lip, remembering her own phrase of a few moments before, +then smiled at her employer. Mrs. Lawson was regal in black velvet, +trimmed in narrow bands of ermine. She returned Dorothy's smile, and +lifted her finely pencilled brows at the Doctor. "Oh, you men. You are +all alike. A pretty gown, a pretty face intrigues you, young or old. Pay +no attention to his flattery, Janet. I can hardly blame him, though. You +look lovely tonight. That is an exquisite frock. Did you buy it abroad?" + +"Oh, no, at a little place on fifty-seventh street." Of course Dorothy +had no idea where Janet had bought the dress. "It is a Paris model, +though, Mrs. Lawson." + +"I thought as much. Ah, here comes Tunbridge with the cocktails. I +wonder which side of the fence you are on?" + +"I'm--I'm afraid I don't know quite what you mean, Mrs. Lawson." + +"I'll explain," broke in the old gentleman. "I'm the prohibitionist in +this house, Janet. Mrs. Lawson is one of the antis. She likes a real +cocktail before dinner. I prefer one made of tomato juice." + +Mrs. Lawson had already helped herself to a brimming glass and a small +canap of caviar from the silver tray Tunbridge was holding. + +"Oh, I love tomato cocktails," smiled Dorothy. She took one from the man +and helped herself to the caviar. "Daddy asked me not to drink until I +was twenty-one--and I'm not so keen on the idea, anyway." + +"I try to keep an open mind about such things," the Doctor said +seriously, "but I've never found that the use of alcohol did anyone any +good. Well, here's your very good health, ladies!" He raised his glass +of tomato juice and drank. + +Dinner was announced a few minutes later. Doctor Winn offered his right +arm to Mrs. Lawson and his left to Dorothy and they walked into the +dining room. Dorothy did not enjoy that meal as much as she had her +luncheon. True, the food was delicious and the panelled room with its +cheerful fire on the hearth and the soft glow of candle light was +delightfully homey, while Doctor Winn's easy chatter and fund of +interesting reminiscence helped to break the tedium of the courses. But +Dorothy found it difficult to play up to his amusing sallies. The old +gentleman appeared to be in very good spirits indeed. Laura Lawson, on +the other hand, was unusually quiet. At times she seemed distrait and +merely smiled absently when spoken to. She drank several glasses of +claret, but hardly touched her food. Dorothy felt surer than ever that +the Lawsons had planned their coup for tonight. She shrewdly surmised +that this cold-blooded adventuress had become fond of the genial, +fatherly old man, and realized that at his age the blow she contemplated +might very well prove a fatal one. + +As the dinner wore on, Dorothy felt more and more ill at ease. The sight +of Tunbridge, soft-footed and efficient, waiting on table or +superintending his satellite of the plum-colored kneebreeches, sent her +thoughts to the night's work ahead every time the detective-butler came +into the room. She was glad when at last the meal was over and they +repaired to the library where after-dinner coffee was served. Dorothy +rarely drank coffee in the evening, but tonight she allowed Tunbridge to +fill her cup a second time. There must be no sleep for her until the wee +hours of the morning, and she knew from former experience that the black +coffee would keep her awake. + +Mrs. Lawson, after wandering aimlessly about the room, finally picked up +a technical magazine and commenced to read. Doctor Winn suggested a game +of chess to Dorothy. She was fond of the ancient game and told him so. +Many a tournament she and her father had played with their red and white +ivory chessmen. Dr. Winn was a brilliant player, of long experience. +Soon he began to compliment Dorothy upon a number of strategic moves. +But although several times she managed to place his king in check, it +was invariably her own royal chessman who was checkmated in the end. As +the evening wore on, the beatings became more frequent, for Dorothy +simply could not keep her mind on the game. + +For a while she sat watching the log fire and talking to the Doctor in a +desultory way while Mrs. Lawson continued to read. Then as the +grandfather clock chimed ten, Laura Lawson laid down her magazine and +stood up. + +"I think I'll go to bed now, if you don't mind." The half stifled yawn, +sheer camouflage thought Dorothy, was nevertheless a masterpiece of +deception. "I've a bit of a headache, so I'll say good night." + +Doctor Winn and Dorothy got to their feet. "I'm for bed myself," +announced the old gentleman, "and in spite of the coffee you drank after +dinner, I know you're sleepy, Janet. Your chess playing toward the end +proved it." His eyes twinkled at her. "But in storm or clear weather, +there's nothing like the air of this Connecticut Ridge Country to make +one eat and sleep. By the way, Laura, when do you expect Martin?" + +"Oh, I forgot to tell you, Doctor--he won't be back tonight. He phoned +me from town just before dinner, that on account of the blizzard, he had +decided to stay in until tomorrow. If you need him sooner, he said to +call up the Roosevelt. He always stops there, you know." + +"Yes, yes, but I shan't need him, thank you." He turned to Dorothy. "The +railroad has taken upon itself to discontinue all service to +Ridgefield," he explained. "Branchville is our nearest station, and +driving will be difficult tonight. There must be very deep drifts by +this time." + +"I should think it would be mighty unpleasant to get stuck out in a +blizzard like this. I'm glad I don't have to go out into it. But in a +way I'm thankful for the snow, because we ought to have a white +Christmas, and it's ever so much more fun." + +"Bless my soul! I'd entirely forgotten that Christmas comes next week. +Well, this year we must celebrate the Yuletide in the good old fashioned +way. Thank you, Janet, for reminding me." + +Good nights were said, and a few minutes later Dorothy was again alone +in the Pink Bedroom. Or so she thought, as she entered. But at once she +noticed that a single shaded wall-light sent a pleasant glow from the +bay window, and curled up in the cushioned recess, Gretchen was reading. + +Dorothy stopped short in surprise and the girl sprang to her feet. "Oh, +Miss--Miss Jordan, Mr. Tunbridge told me to come and help you undress +and get ready for the night. Of course I didn't know if you would want +me--" then she added in a whisper, "but he thought you might be sort of +blue and I could cheer you up, I guess." + +Dorothy smiled at Gretchen's pretty, earnest face. "Why, of course I +want you, Gretchen. Tunbridge is very thoughtful. I've never had the +luxury of a personal maid and I don't know that I'll ever feel helpless +enough to need one! But if you want to stay and talk, I'd love it." + +"But I can help you, too," Gretchen insisted. "I'm not really a trained +maid, you know, but Nanette--that's Mrs. Lawson's French maid--has been +teaching me. Gee, I'd certainly love to be _your_ personal maid, Miss +Jordan." + +"Well, you may be, some day, who knows?" she laughed. "But you can help +me tonight, though there'll be no bed for me until much later." + +Gretchen, who was arranging the pillows and smoothing the covers on the +bed, turned her head sharply. "Secret Service Work?" she queried in an +excited whisper. + +Dorothy nodded and tossed her dress on to a chair. She continued +speaking in a tone just above a whisper. "At twelve o'clock tonight I've +got to go downstairs and commit justifiable burglary in Doctor Winn's +office. The real thief will be along later--at least, I hope so, for +everybody's sake. In the meantime I want you to do something for +me--will you?" + +"I sure will, miss--gee, this is exciting!" + +"Don't let it cramp your style." Dorothy laughed, and pulling off her +stocking, she handed Gretchen the packet of thin paper, the manuscript +on "Winnite" that she had typed that morning. "When you finish up in +here, I want you to find Mr. Tunbridge and give him these papers. You'd +better pin it inside your uniform now, and be very careful that nobody +sees you giving it to him." + +"You can trust me," declared Gretchen, and she put the papers safely +within her dress. "Is Mr. Tunbridge really a detective?" + +"He certainly is, Gretchen." + +"I'd never have guessed it if you hadn't told me. But then, I suppose +not looking like one makes him all the better?" + +"That's the idea." Dorothy put Janet's quilted satin dressing gown on +over her pajamas. "Now that I'm ready for bed, and you've put all my +clothes away so nicely, I think you'd better run along, Gretchen. Not," +she amended, "that I wouldn't love to talk to you while I'm waiting for +twelve o'clock, but we must not let certain people in this house get +wise to our friendship." + +"And Mrs. Lawson is one awful snoopy lady," Gretchen observed candidly. +"Well, good night, Miss Jordan. Thank you a lot for letting me in on +this. I'll see that Mr. Tunbridge gets your papers all right. Good +night--and take care of yourself." She stood before Dorothy with an +anxious frown on her honest brow. "I sure do wish you the very best +luck!" + +Dorothy grinned. "Thank you. I certainly need it. Good night." + +The door closed upon the little maid and Dorothy looked at her wrist +watch. It was ten minutes to eleven. For a time she sat on the edge of +her bed and stared unseeingly at the rug under her feet. Presently she +got up, locked her door, turned off her lights and went over to the +window. She drew aside the curtains and was surprised to see that it had +stopped snowing. There was no moon, but what sky she could see was +fairly a-crackle with stars. The heavy blanket of snow looked silver in +the starlight. A remote world and cold. Dorothy allowed the curtains to +drop back into place, and sat down on the window seat. Lost in thoughts +pleasant and unpleasant, she sat there for the next hour, while the +faint noises of the big house gradually subsided into stillness. + +At exactly five minutes to twelve, Dorothy raised the window, letting in +the cold night air. Then she turned off the heat and got into bed. After +lying there for possibly a minute, she threw back the covers, thrust her +feet into the fur-lined slippers she had left at the bedside and moved +like a dim shadow to the closet. + +It was crowded with Janet's suits, coats and frocks, and she was careful +not to disturb them on their hangers, as she pushed between them in the +darkness to the rear wall and pressed her foot on the board in the +corner. The panel slid upward with a noiselessness that spoke for +well-oiled machinery somewhere in the walls. Dorothy stepped cautiously +through the opening. Her fingers sought the handle to this sliding door, +found it, and she pulled the panel down again. + +Then for the first time she made use of the small flashlight which she +carried in the pocket of her gown. She saw that she was standing on the +top step of a narrow circular stair that wound downward. Off went her +light again--she was taking no unnecessary chances tonight--and with her +hand on the metal handrail, she felt her way slowly down the stair, +holding her free hand well in advance of her body. + +When her extended fingers touched a wall that blocked further progress, +she felt with a slippered foot out to the right. The board gave +slightly, the wall panel moved upward and she stepped forth to find +herself in the great fireplace of the entrance hall, just beyond the +embers of the dying logs. The hall was illuminated in the dim glow of a +night light in the ceiling. As she turned to pull down the sliding +shutter, there came a streak of white from the dark passage and +Professor bounded into the hall. + +Dorothy was completely startled, and just as exasperated as she could +be. She could not call him, for the slightest sound might bring the +wakeful enemy to the spot. The pup, after his long sleep, was playful, +and scampered about madly, his bright eyes watching her every move. She +attempted to catch him, but he eluded her with an agility that made her +still more angry. He seemed to think that this was a splendid game, +raced across the floor in high glee, but ever watchful to keep beyond +her reach. + +Dorothy gave it up as a bad job. She dared not pursue him too +determinedly, for fear he would bark. She pulled down the sliding +shutter in the fireplace, and leaving Professor to his frolic, hurried +on to the door of Doctor Winn's office. + +Inside the room with the door shut, her flashlight came into play for +the second time. It took her but a moment with the memorized combination +at her fingertips to open the safe. The door was surprisingly heavy, but +at last the interior of the small vault came within her line of vision. +From a drawer she took a folded sheet of white paper. Out of her pocket +came a pencil and another sheet of paper. In an amazingly short time she +copied the formula and replaced the original in the safe drawer. She +tucked the copy into the fur lining of her slipper under her bare foot. +Then suddenly she sprang up. + +Her heart leaped into her throat. In the corridor just outside there +came the sound of a footstep. There was no time to do more than shut off +her torch and drop it, together with her pencil, into the waste paper +basket. The door opened, lights flashed on, and Martin Lawson walked +into the room. + + + + + Chapter XVII + + PROFESSOR MAKES GOOD + + +In that moment, Dorothy knew what she must do. A shiver ran over her +slender frame and she blinked as though partly awakened by the flash of +lights. Then, with eyes wide open and staring straight ahead, she slowly +walked toward Martin Lawson and the open doorway. + +"_Stop!_" + +The command, though low, was uttered in a tone of deadly menace, and +Dorothy saw the blue-black muzzle of an automatic revolver pointed at +her heart. She stopped on the instant, but continued to stare straight +ahead without change of expression. She noted that he wore a soft felt +hat pulled over his eyes and a heavy ulster with its broad collar turned +up half hiding the lower part of his face. His high arctics bore traces +of melting snow. + +"Sleepwalking, eh! Well, I don't believe it." His sharp eyes took in the +open door of the safe. "Snap out of that playacting and tell me what you +are doing here!" + +Dorothy did not move a muscle. + +Without warning, he grasped her wrist and jerked her savagely toward +him. She screamed and went limp in his arms. Lawson clapped a hand over +her mouth. + +"So you're up to your old tricks again, Martin!" + +Mrs. Lawson, fully dressed, and wearing a three-quarters mink coat and +brown felt cloche, appeared in the open doorway. "So our little +sleepwalker interrupted a very pretty piece of double-crossing!" She +pointed toward the safe. + +Lawson flung the weeping girl into an arm chair where she lay apparently +half stunned and shaking in every limb. + +"Double-cross, nothing!" he snapped at his wife. "How do you get that +way, Laura? I came in here just now and found Janet in the room." + +"Was she at the safe?" + +"No, she wasn't. She was standing in the middle of the floor. Making her +getaway without a doubt when I turned on the lights." + +"Why do you pretend Janet opened the safe? The Doctor, you and I are the +only ones who know the combination. Laugh that off if you can, my dear!" + +They were both fast losing their tempers. + +"Combination or no combination, the safe was open when I got here," he +snarled. "She was after the formula, of course. That father of hers is +in back of it. That Irishman is the double-crosser--and how! Figured on +working Winnite into his racket without coughing up a cent for it, +either. Call me a sucker if you like, Laura. I qualify, and so do you, +for that matter. The other stuff's the bunk." + +Dorothy stopped her pretended crying and lay back as though utterly +exhausted. She knew Tunbridge must be up and about. What in the world +could the man be doing? + +Mrs. Lawson who seemed to be weighing matters, slowly unbuttoned her +coat. "If you are so blameless," she said coldly to her husband, "How do +you happen to be here at all? Your part of the job was to bring up the +car--or the plane, if it had stopped snowing." + +"Well, it's no longer snowing, my dear, and the plane is just where it +should be. I got tired of waiting, that's why. Thought there must be a +slip-up. You were due out there half an hour ago." + +"And I would have been," said Laura Lawson evenly, "if that secret +service fool hadn't been snooping outside my door." + +"Tunbridge?" + +"Who else!" + +"What did you do--croak him?" + +"No, I didn't. He's not worth burning for." + +As they talked, the two dropped their artificial cloaks of refinement as +if they had never been. + +"It's hanging in this state," sneered Martin. + +"What's the difference! I rang for him, instead. When he knocked on the +door, I opened up and beaned him with the poker. He'll wake up tomorrow +with a headache, but I dragged him into my room and tied him up, just to +make sure." + +Dorothy's heart sank to the very soles of her bare feet. + +"Atta girl!" cheered Lawson. "That's the way! And look here, Laura. Just +to prove I'm on the straight with you--go over and frisk that kid +yourself. She's got the paper." + +"Thanks--I intended to." Mrs. Lawson threw a grim smile at her husband +and turned to Dorothy. "Pass it over, Janet." + +"But, really, Mrs. Lawson! I don't know what you're talking about--" + +The woman cut her short. "Stand up and come here!" + +Dorothy reluctantly obeyed. "I haven't any paper," she protested. "All I +know is that I woke up just now and found Mr. Lawson--" + +"Hold your tongue!" snapped Mrs. Lawson, and after exploring Dorothy's +empty pockets, ran her fingers over the quilted gown and the girl's +pajamas. In the midst of her search, Professor, still playful, bounded +into the room and stood watching them expectantly. + +Mrs. Lawson stepped back. "She hasn't got it, Martin." Her tone was +acid. "What a hard-boiled liar you are, anyway!" + +"Hard-boiled, if you like--but no liar." He strode to the safe and +thrust his hand inside. "Here it is," he called, and held up the paper. +"I must have got here before she could nab it." + +Laura Lawson eyed him appraisingly. "Didn't you say Janet was in the +middle of the room when you switched on the light?" + +"Sure--she heard me coming, of course." + +"If Janet heard you coming, why didn't she swing the door shut? Don't +try to pull that stuff on me, Martin. Even if the girl knows the +combination she couldn't open that safe in the dark. Why lie about the +business? I know you opened it yourself--and what's more, while I've +been wasting time arguing with you and searching Janet, the formula was +in your pocket the whole time--that is, until you pretended to take it +out of the safe, just now!" + +Martin Lawson's hard and cruel mouth twisted into a crooked smile. "The +world is full of liars," he said equably, "but your husband doesn't play +that kind of a racket, Laura--anyway, not to you." + +"Then prove it by giving me that paper!" his wife held out her hand. + +"Nothing doing, Sweetheart. The formula will be perfectly safe with me." + +He started to put it in an inside pocket, when Laura Lawson sprang for +the paper. She grasped his wrist. There was a tussle and the folded +sheet fell to the floor. Professor, seated on his haunches and very +interested in these exciting proceedings, dove forward and snapped it +up. For half a moment he shook the paper as though he took it for a new +species of rat. Then as they went for him, he darted between Martin's +legs and scampered out of the room. + +"You big goop!" flared his wife. "Why didn't you pot the cur!" + +She rushed out of the room after Professor while Martin stared rather +stupidly at the gun in his hand. Suddenly his eyes took on a +particularly hard glint and he swung round on Dorothy. + +"This," he rasped, "is the second time you've got me in wrong with my +wife, Miss Janet Jordan. And there just ain't going to be no third time, +kid!" + +"Wha--what are you going to do, Mr. Lawson?" She was still playing the +terrified, innocent Janet, but she no longer feared the man. During the +Lawsons' struggle, she had prepared herself for something like this. She +had also shifted her position and was standing near the open door, now +several yards away. + +"You're going to answer my questions, Janet--and answer them truthfully, +or you'll do your sleepwalking in another world after this." He menaced +her with the automatic, "It's the bunk, isn't it? The sleepwalking, I +mean." + +"It sure is, Mr. du Val!" drawled Dorothy with a sweet smile. + +Lawson was thoroughly surprised and looked it. "Yes--it naturally would +be, seeing you know who I really am." + +"And all about you." + +"Oh, you do, eh? You were awake, of course, at the meeting?" + +"Not me--Janet Jordan." + +"What do you mean--not you--Janet Jordan?" + +"I mean that certain people have been making fools of you and your wife, +Mr. du Val." + +"Is that so! In what way, may I ask?" + +"Why, you see, I'm not Janet Jordan." + +"Not Janet Jordan!" + +"I wish," said Dorothy, "you wouldn't echo my words. No, I am not--most +decidedly, not Janet Jordan, although even you have guessed by this time +that I look like her. We changed places on you, big boy! Night before +last, just before you came into Janet's room with her father, Janet was +climbing out the window when you knocked the first time. It was rather +embarrassing." + +"It's going to be even more embarrassing for you in a moment or two, +Miss Not Janet Jordan! You know too much to live. Who in thunderation +are you--a government dick?" + +"That's right, big boy. I also happen to be Janet's double cousin." + +"You're her double, I'll voucher that," agreed du Val alias Lawson. "And +all this high-hat cockiness ain't going to do you one little bit of +good. What's the moniker, kid? Make it snappy, I'm pressed for time." + +"Dorothy Dixon's my name. And--meet Flash!" Her right hand gave a quick +twist and Martin Lawson dropped the exploding automatic with a scream of +mingled rage and pain. She sprang for the revolver, covered the man and +retrieved the knife from the floor just behind him. "Sit down over +there!" She pointed to a chair. "You're not really hurt, you know. Flash +only skinned your knuckles. Better tie them up in your handkerchief +though. You're ruining the rug." + +Gretchen's blond head peered round the door frame. "Oh, Dorothy!" she +shrilled, and rushed into the room. "Are you hurt? Did he wound you?" +She flung herself on her friend in a frenzy of fright and hysterics. + +From the hall came Laura Lawson's voice. "Martin!" she called. "They're +out in front of the house. They've got the car! Hurry!" + +Lawson wasted no time. While Dorothy struggled with the excited +Gretchen, he nipped out of the room and was gone. + +"That tears it!" cried Miss Dixon, freeing herself from the little +maid's embrace, and she dove into the passage. + +Under the gallery she stopped short. There was nobody in sight, but from +the staircase came two sharp detonations of a revolver which were +answered by two more from the dining room. Then as she moved warily +forward, Bill Bolton ran into the hall with Ashton Sanborn close at his +heels. Dorothy saw them disappear up the stairs and ran after them. + +At the top of the stairs she spied them standing outside a bedroom door. +She hurried to join them. "Hello! Gone to cover?" + +"You're a great guesser, kid." Bill grinned and nodded. + +"Where's Tunbridge?" asked Mr. Sanborn. + +Dorothy motioned toward the door. "In there. He's got a broken head and +he's tied up into the bargain. Laura Lawson did it. That's her room." + +"We've got to get the door down," said Bill, and he stepped back for a +rush. + +"Just a sec, Bill!" Dorothy fired three shots from Lawson's automatic +into the lock. + +"Smart girl!" Ashton Sanborn opened the door to disclose the +detective-butler bound and unconscious, lying on the floor. Otherwise +the room was empty of occupants. "I thought as much," muttered the +secret service man, while Dorothy ran to Tunbridge and began to cut his +bonds. "They have beat it, all right!" + +"Secret passage?" This from Bill. + +"Yes, the walls are honeycombed with them. But Tunbridge never learned +the secret of this room, poor fellow." + +"Doctor Winn would know," said Dorothy. "His suite is right at the end +of this corridor. He must surely be awake with all this racket going +on." + +"I'll get him." Mr. Sanborn was half way to the door. "Look after +Tunbridge, you two. Better phone for a doctor." He was gone. + +Dorothy and Bill lifted the unconscious man on to Mrs. Lawson's bed. +Then while young Bolton undressed him, Dorothy telephoned. She then gave +Bill a hasty account of the night's happenings. + +"If Gretchen had only stayed put in her room, I'd have caught Martin +Lawson, anyway," she lamented. + +"Mr. Jordan and the bunch outside will take care of that pair," promised +Bill. "Fetch a wet towel from the bathroom. This bird is breathing +pretty hard." + +Dorothy sped to obey, talking the while. "Not Uncle Michael!" she called +back in astonishment. + +"Yep. Uncle Michael showed up in Sanborn's New York office this morning, +all on his own." + +"What was he doing--wanting to turn state's evidence and peach on his +pals?" She brought in the wet towel and laid it on Tunbridge's hot +forehead. + +"Nothing like that, kid." Bill was grinning. "Give another guess." + +"Then he wasn't really a member of that gang with the numbers?" + +"Sure he was--in good standing, too." + +"Oh, spill it, Bill! What do you think I'm made of, anyway?" + +"Snips and snails and puppy dog's tails," said Bill promptly. + +"Huh! The story book says 'little boys' belong in that category. Come, +Bill, out with it!" + +"Well, then, cutie pie,--Uncle Michael is a secret service man." + +"And Ashton Sanborn didn't know it! Don't talk rot, Bill!" + +"I'm not talking rot, Dorothy. Uncle Michael happens to be in the +British Secret Service, that's why!" + +"Ain't that the nerts!" exploded Miss Dixon. + +"You said it, kid! He got on to The Nameless Ones--that's what they call +themselves--over on the other side, in Europe, you know--worked his way +into their confidence and joined up. Of course, with his government's +sanction." + +"And what were they up to?" + +"Out to blow up the world with Winnite, I reckon. The Lawsons were to +get two million plunks for the formula. Martie-boy was Number 1, by the +way. The whole thing was financed by the Reds." + +"Nice people! What's being done about it?" + +"Plenty," returned Bill. "Mr. Jordan brought in the goods--letters, +confidential papers of the organization, and that kind of thing. All the +ringleaders, both in this country and abroad, have been apprehended and +jailed by this time." + +"Except," she suggested, "the du Vals, alias Lawson." + +"That's right! Let's go downstairs and find out about them. Nothing more +can be done for Tunbridge until that doctor shows up. He's had hard luck +all the way round this evening. The Lawsons fooled him nicely about the +time--and then this crack on the nut into the bargain!" + +"What do you mean--about the time?" + +"Why, he overheard the fair Laura telling her hubby that they would +vamoose at two this morning, and that she would nab the formula just +before leaving. That's why Tunbridge specified midnight. He thought that +two hours leeway would have been plenty of time for you." + +"I 'spose they suspected him then, and were just giving him the razz?" + +Bill nodded. "Q.E.D., old girl. You're learning, aren't you?" + +Dorothy made a face at him and pushed him out of the room. "By the way," +continued Bill, as they entered the corridor, "I wonder if Mrs. Lawson +got the paper away from Professor?" + +"She did not!" declared Dorothy. "Look!" + +They paused on the stairs to view the scene below in the entrance hall. +Groups of frightened servants whispered among themselves and here and +there a strange man was posted, with somewhat of an air of grim +watchfulness. Crouched on the hearth and chewing up the last shreds of +some white substance was the puppy. + +"The end of a perfect formula," declared Bill. "You'd better call the +pup Winnite. He's full of it by this time. Lucky you made the copy, +Dorothy." + +"It certainly is!" A voice spoke behind them and they turned to see +Ashton Sanborn descending the broad stair. "Doctor Winn tells me the +passageway from the Lawson woman's room comes out into the sunken +gardens a quarter of a mile from the house. And I distinctly heard the +whirr of an airplane just now from his open window. They've made their +getaway in fine style by this time." + +"Well--" Dorothy breathed a deep sigh. "I can't help being glad of it." + +Bill stared at her. "Well!" he mimicked. "I must say you have +astonishing reactions!" + +"What's the matter, my dear?" asked Mr. Sanborn. "You've done brilliant +work on this case, and then, you know, you've saved Winnite." + +Dorothy was not impressed. "That's just it," she retorted. "If I wasn't +a government servant for the time being, I'd destroy the copy of that +terrible formula myself. As it is, I've got to turn it over to you!" + +Ashton Sanborn laid a fatherly hand on her shoulder. "Fortunes of war, +Dorothy. Sorry, but you must, you know." + +"Oh, I know!" She took the sheet of paper from her slipper and handed it +to him. "And that," she announced grimly, "spoils all the fun on this +racket." + + + + + Chapter XVIII + + THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT + + +Christmas eve was, as Dorothy had predicted, a starry night of frost and +blanketing snow. Red candles twinkled in every holly-wreathed window of +the Dixon home, and a large fir tree before the house glittered with +colored Christmas lights. + +If old Saint Nick had peeped into the dining room windows, he would have +seen a merry company standing round the dinner table, gay with the +crimson-berried holly and waxy mistletoe. At the head of the table stood +Dorothy, appropriately and becomingly dressed in ruby-red velvet. On her +right there was an empty place, and beyond it, old Doctor Winn, a +boutonniere of holly in the lapel of his dinner coat; Mr. Bolton, Bill's +father, was next down the table, and just beyond stood Ashton Sanborn. +Facing Dorothy at the other end, her father chatted with a bright-eyed +Gretchen, who had Bill on her right. Next to Bill came Doctor Winn's +ex-butler, John Tunbridge, looking none the worse for his part in the +mixup of the fatal night. Beyond Tunbridge stood Dorothy's Uncle +Michael, and then another empty chair. + +"Just a moment, Dorothy," said her father as she was about to sit down. +"We've a surprise for you." + +"Oh, are there more people coming?" She indicated the extra places to +her right and left. "I thought our party was as nearly complete as +possible. Of course it would have been swell if Janet and Howard could +have been with us." + +"Dum--dum--de dum!" hummed Bill, beating time with his hand like an +orchestra conductor. From the drawing room a piano crashed into the +opening chords of Wagner's beautiful wedding march. + +"Here Comes the Bride ..." sang the guests at table, and Dorothy's heart +skipped a beat. + +Through the curtained doorway, walked a blushing girl, leaning on the +arm of a tall young man. She wore a bridal gown of white satin, and her +smiling face, below the draped tulle veil, was the exact counterpart of +the astonished girl at the head of the table. + +"Janet! Howard!" Dorothy ran to them and was caught in her cousin's +arms. "Where under the sun did you come from? I thought you sailed for +South America last week!" + +"That," said Howard, grinning broadly, "is a surprise that Mr. Sanborn +sprang on us the day after we were married. He persuaded me to give up +the South American job and got me a much better one with Mr. Bolton." + +"Meet Mr. Howard Bright, the new manager of my Bridgeport plant," cried +Bill's father, and everyone clapped. + +"Why, that's marvelous!" exclaimed Dorothy. "It's only an hour's drive +over there from New Canaan. We'll be able to see a lot of each other, +Janet." + +Then Uncle Michael, looking very happy and proud, kissed his daughter +and led her to the chair between his place and Dorothy's. + +"Daddy gave me the wedding dress," whispered Janet. "It's a little bit +late for it, but he insisted." + +"You look simply darling," began her cousin, then stopped. Doctor Winn, +who had pushed in her chair, was addressing the company. + +"Ladies, and gentlemen," he said, "before we start on the Christmas +cheer which our little hostess and her father have so graciously +provided, I would like to propose a toast or two, and may I ask you to +stand again while you drink them with me?" He held up his glass of +golden cider. "First, let us drink long life and great happiness to our +charming bride, Mrs. Howard Bright, and her gallant husband!" + +The company drank the toast enthusiastically. Then Uncle Abe, the +Dixon's darkey butler, better known to some of Dorothy's friends as "Ol' +Man River," grinning from one black ear to the other, laid small leather +jewel cases before Janet and Howard. + +"Just a little Christmas gift, my children," explained Doctor Winn. + +"Oh, may we open them now?" asked Janet eagerly. + +"You most certainly may, my dear." + +They snapped open the lids and the company leaned forward to get a +better view of the contents. + +"I don't know how to thank you, Doctor Winn," began Howard, fingering +his handsome gold repeater and chain. + +"Nor I--why--my goodness! I never thought I'd have a string of real +pearls. They are simply too exquisite for words!" + +Doctor Winn laughed and held up a protesting hand. "I'm sure I'm glad +you like them, but guests are requested not to embarrass the speaker. +Now, I have another toast to propose; and this time we will drink a very +Merry Christmas, long life and great happiness to Miss Margaret Schmidt, +my new companion-housekeeper!" + +Gretchen was overwhelmed and blushed furiously. Uncle Abe placed another +jewel case before her, which she opened and found therein a pearl +necklace, the counterpart of Janet's. All she could do was to sit and +gaze at it with her wide open china-blue eyes. Mr. Dixon raised the +necklace, slipped it over the embarrassed girl's head, and nodded to the +old gentleman. + +Doctor Winn took the hint and turned the attention of the table guests +to himself. "Third and last, but not in any way the least," he said, "we +will drink to the heroine of the already famous case of the Double +Cousins. Ladies and gentlemen, I pledge you Dorothy Dixon--whose bravery +and loyalty to her country gained the nation's thanks through its +mouthpiece, our President in Washington this week. A very Merry +Christmas, my dear, long life and great happiness to you and to our +friend Professor, alias Winnite! By the way, where is the pup? I have a +little remembrance for him, too." + +"He's right here beside me, asleep in his basket, Doctor Winn." Dorothy +picked up the yawning pup and sat him on her lap. + +The old gentleman took a slightly larger morocco case out of his pocket, +this time, and laid it on the white cloth before her. With a smile of +thanks, she pressed the spring and disclosed, lying on a velvet pad, a +double string of gleaming pink pearls. She looked at him, speechless +with pleasure, then down again at the necklace. As she did so, she +started, for beneath the pearls lay an envelope. + +She picked it up and drew forth a paper--"Why! why, it's my copy of the +Winnite formula!" she cried. + +"The only existing copy, my dear, which I hereby present to your puppy." + +"But, Doctor Winn, I don't understand!" + +"My terms to the government were that Winnite should be used for +national defense alone," he said solemnly. "Washington would not agree. +Therefore I wish the formula destroyed." + +"Oh, what a darling you are!" Dorothy leaned over and kissed him. "But +let's not give it to Professor this time, please. The last one made him +horribly sick." + +She held the paper over a lighted candle and watched Winnite burn to +charred ash. "I certainly am the happiest girl in the world tonight--but +there is just one more toast I'd like to propose before we commence +dinner. Here's a long life and a Merry Christmas to Mr. and Mrs. Martin +Lawson--if it hadn't been for them, think of all the fun we'd have +missed!" + + THE END + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dorothy Dixon and the Double Cousin, by +Dorothy Wayne + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DOROTHY DIXON, DOUBLE COUSIN *** + +***** This file should be named 44670-8.txt or 44670-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/4/4/6/7/44670/ + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Dorothy Dixon and the Double Cousin + +Author: Dorothy Wayne + +Release Date: January 15, 2014 [EBook #44670] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DOROTHY DIXON, DOUBLE COUSIN *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class='nf-center-c'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <span class='xlarge'>DOROTHY DIXON</span><br/> + <br/> + <span class='xlarge'>and the Double Cousin</span><br/> + <br/> + BY<br/> + <br/> + <span class='larger'><i>Dorothy Wayne</i></span><br/> + <br/> + Author of<br/> + <i>Dorothy Dixon Solves the Conway Case<br/> + Dorothy Dixon and The Mystery Plane<br/> + Dorothy Dixon Wins Her Wings</i><br/> + <br/> + THE GOLDSMITH PUBLISHING COMPANY<br/> + CHICAGO + </div> +</div> + +<hr class='d000' /> + +<div class='nf-center-c'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <span class='sc'>Copyright, 1933</span><br/> + <br/> + <span class='sc'>The Goldsmith Publishing Company</span><br/> + MADE IN U.S.A. + </div> +</div> + +<hr class='d000' /> + +<div class='nf-center-c'> + <div class='nf-center'> + <i>To</i><br/> + <span class='sc'>Dorothea Hetty Gutmann</span> + </div> +</div> + +<div class='nf-block-c'> + <div class='nf-block'> + <i>a New Canaan schoolgirl, who<br/> + loves our beautiful Ridge<br/> + Country, and whose fox terrier,<br/> + Professor, really ate the dictionary!</i> + </div> +</div> + +<hr class='d000' /> + +<p class='c000'>CONTENTS</p> + +<table summary='toc'> +<tr><td class='tc1'>I</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch01'>The Encounter</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>II</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch02'>“Family Affairs”</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>III</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch03'>The Sleepwalker</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>IV</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch04'>Meet Flash!</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>V</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch05'>On Secret Service</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>VI</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch06'>Who’s Who?</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>VII</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch07'>Playing a Part</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>VIII</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch08'>“Walk Into My Parlor”</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>IX</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch09'>In the Night</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>X</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch10'>Surprises</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>XI</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch11'>Gretchen</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>XII</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch12'>Tests</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>XIII</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch13'>Winnite</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>XIV</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch14'>Professor</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>XV</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch15'>Tea and Orders</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>XVI</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch16'>Caught in the Act</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>XVII</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch17'>Professor Makes Good</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='tc1'>XVIII</td><td class='tc2'><a href='#ch18'>The Christmas Spirit</a></td></tr> +</table> + +<hr class='d000' /> + +<h1 class='nobreak'>DOROTHY DIXON AND THE DOUBLE COUSIN</h1> + +<h2 id='ch01' class='nobreak'>Chapter I<br /><br />THE ENCOUNTER</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>“Why—good heavens, girl! How in the +world did you escape?”</p> + +<p>Dorothy Dixon heard the low, eager +whisper at her elbow but disregarded it. +She was intent on selecting a tie from the +colorful rack on the counter before her. +She spoke to the clerk:</p> + +<p>“I’ll take this one, and that’ll make four. +I hope Daddy will approve my taste in +Christmas presents,” she smiled, and laid +a bill on her purchases.</p> + +<p>“But—please, dear, tell me! Don’t you +know I’m worried crazy? Who let you +out?”</p> + +<p>This time Dorothy felt a touch on her +arm. She wheeled quickly to face a tall, +slender young fellow of twenty-two or +three. As she stared at him, half indignant, +half wondering, she saw sincere distress +in his brown eyes, and in the lines of his +pleasant face. Hat in hand, he waited anxiously +for an answer to his question, while +the crowd of holiday shoppers poured +through the aisles about them.</p> + +<p>Dorothy’s eyes softened, then danced. +“It seems to me,” she said, “that you have +the wires twisted—it’s not I who’ve escaped, +but you! Run along now and find +your keeper. You’re evidently in need of +one!”</p> + +<p>“Your change and package, miss,” the +impersonal voice of the haberdashery clerk +intervened and Dorothy turned back to the +counter.</p> + +<p>“But why on earth are you acting this +way, Janet?” The strange young man was +at her elbow again.</p> + +<p>Once more Dorothy turned swiftly toward +him but when she spoke her eyes and +voice were serious. “Do you really mean +to say you think you’re speaking to Janet +Jordan? Because—”</p> + +<p>“My dear—what are you trying to tell +me?” He broke in impatiently. “I certainly +ought to know the girl I’m going to +marry!”</p> + +<p>Dorothy nodded slowly. “I agree with +you—you ought to—but then, you see, you +<em>don’t</em>!”</p> + +<p>The young man crushed his soft felt hat +in his hands and took a step nearer to her. +“Look here—what <em>is</em> the matter with you? +I know you’ve been through a lot, but—” +He broke off abruptly, a gleam of horror +and suspicion in his honest eyes. “Janet! +What have they done to you?”</p> + +<p>Dorothy laid a firm hand on his arm. +“Sh! Be quiet—listen to me.” Then she +added gently—“I am <em>not</em> Janet Jordan, +your fiancee.”</p> + +<p>“You’re not—!”</p> + +<p>“No. My name is Dorothy Dixon—and +I’m Janet’s first cousin.”</p> + +<p>The young man seemed flabbergasted +for a moment. Then he stammered—“Wh-why, it’s +astounding—the resemblance, I +mean! You’re alike as—as two peas. If +you were twins—”</p> + +<p>“But you see,” she smiled, “our mothers, +Janet’s and mine, <em>were</em> twins, and I guess +that accounts for it. I’ve never seen Janet, +but this is the third time, just recently, that +I’ve been taken for her by her friends, +Mr.—?”</p> + +<p>“My name is Bright,” he supplied. +“Howard Bright. Yes, now I can see a +slight difference, Miss Dixon. You’re a bit +taller and broader across the shoulders than +she is. But it’s your personalities, more +than anything else, that are altogether unlike. +I hope you’ll forgive me, Miss +Dixon, for making a nuisance of myself!”</p> + +<p>“No indeed—that is, of course I will!” +Dorothy laughed merrily. “You’re not a +nuisance, you know, but,” and her tone became +grave, “I can see that you’re in trouble. +Is there—” she hesitated.</p> + +<p>“Not I, Miss Dixon—that is, not directly. +But,” he lowered his voice, “Janet is—is +in very serious trouble. And for a +moment, when I saw you, I thought that in +some miraculous way she had escaped.”</p> + +<p>Howard Bright’s face suddenly became +almost haggard and Dorothy’s sympathy +and concern for her cousin deepened into +resolve.</p> + +<p>“Look here, Mr. Bright,” she said abruptly, +“we can’t talk here, in this shopping +crowd, it’s a regular football scrimmage. +Let’s go up to the mezzanine. A friend of +mine is waiting there for me now, I’m a little +late as it is, and—”</p> + +<p>“But I can’t bother <em>you</em> with this,” he +protested, “and especially—”</p> + +<p>“Oh, come along,” she urged, “Bill is a +grand guy when it comes to getting people +out of messes. I insist you tell us all about +it. After all, Janet’s my cousin, you know, +and you’ll soon be a member of the family, +won’t you?”</p> + +<p>“There doesn’t seem much hope of that +now.” Young Bright’s tone was despondent. +“But Janet certainly does need help, +and she needs it badly—so—”</p> + +<p>Dorothy caught his arm. “I’m going to +call you Howard,” she announced briskly. +“So please drop the Miss Dixon. And +come on—let’s push our way over to the +elevators.”</p> + +<p>The mezzanine floor of the department +store was arranged as a lounge or waiting +room for customers. Comfortable arm +chairs and divans invited tired shoppers to +rest. Writing desks and tables strewn with +current magazines gave the place a club-like +appearance.</p> + +<p>Dorothy and her newly found acquaintance +stepped out of the elevator and +looked about. The place seemed especially +quiet after the rush and bustle on other +floors, and was almost deserted, save for +two elderly ladies conversing in low tones +near a window, and a young man, who rose +at their approach.</p> + +<p>As the good looking youth moved toward +them with the lithe, easy grace of a +trained athlete, Howard Bright saw that +he had light brown hair, and blue eyes +snapping with vitality and cheerfulness.</p> + +<p>“Hello, Dorothy!” He greeted her +smilingly, “better late than never, if you +don’t mind my saying so. I’d just about +figured you were going to pass up our +date.”</p> + +<p>“Sorry, Colonel,” she mocked. “Explanations +are in order I guess, but they +can wait. This is Howard Bright, Bill—Howard, +Mr. Bolton!”</p> + +<p>The two young men shook hands.</p> + +<p>“Bolton—Dixon?” Howard’s tone was +thoughtful. “Why!” he exclaimed suddenly. +“You two are the flyers—the pair +who won the endurance test with the Conway +motor! I’m certainly glad to meet you +both. The papers have been full of your +doings. Well, this is a surprise! But you +know, I’d got the impression that you were +both older—”</p> + +<p>“I’m sixteen,” smiled Dorothy. “Bill +has me beat by a year.”</p> + +<p>“How about lunch?” suggested Bill. He +invariably changed the subject when his +exploits were mentioned. People always +enthused so, it embarrassed him. “You’ll +join us, of course, Mr. Bright?”</p> + +<p>“Thanks, Mr. Bolton. I really don’t +think I can butt in this way—”</p> + +<p>“There’s no butting in about it,” Dorothy +interrupted. “Howard is engaged to +my cousin, Janet Jordan, Bill. And Janet’s +in a lot of trouble. I’ve promised we’d do +everything we can to help.”</p> + +<p>Bill, after one look at Howard’s worried +face, sized up the situation instantly. +“Why, of course,” he said. “And we can’t +talk with any privacy in this place. I can +see that whatever the trouble is, it’s serious.”</p> + +<p>“Janet’s in desperate peril,” Howard +said huskily.</p> + +<p>“You said something about her escape +when we met,” Dorothy reminded him. +“Has somebody kidnapped her? Have you +any idea where she is?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, she’s a prisoner. A prisoner in the +Jordans’ apartment on West 93rd Street.”</p> + +<p>“Then her father is away?”</p> + +<p>“No. He leaves tonight, I believe.”</p> + +<p>“But, my goodness!—a girl can’t be kidnapped +and made a prisoner in her own +home. Especially if her father is there. It +doesn’t sound possible.”</p> + +<p>“I know it doesn’t,” admitted Howard +desperately, “it sounds crazy. But it’s the +truth, just the same. She’s in frightful danger.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy looked horrified. “You mean +that my uncle and Janet don’t get on together—that +they’ve had a row and you’re +afraid he will harm her?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, no, they’re very fond of each +other.”</p> + +<p>“Then Uncle Michael is a prisoner, +too!”</p> + +<p>“No, he is free enough himself, but he +can do nothing—it would only make matters +worse.”</p> + +<p>“Well!” declared Dorothy, “I don’t +think much of Uncle Michael if he can’t +protect his own daughter.”</p> + +<p>Bill stepped into the breach.</p> + +<p>“What about the police—can’t you call +them in?”</p> + +<p>Howard Bright shook his head. “They +would only bring this horrible business to +a climax,” he explained. “And that is exactly +what must not be done. It is more a +matter for Secret Service investigation—but +I don’t think that even they could be of +any real help.”</p> + +<p>Bill and Dorothy exchanged a quick +glance.</p> + +<p>“Have you ever heard of a man named +Ashton Sanborn, Mr. Bright?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I have, Mr. Bolton. Wasn’t he +the detective who helped you unearth +that fiendish scheme of old Professor +Fanely?”<a id='r1'/><a href='#f1' class='c002'><sup>[1]</sup></a></p> + +<p>“Bull’s eye!” grinned Bill. “Only Ashton +Sanborn is quite a lot more than a mere +detective. And it so happens that he is over +at the Waldorf right now, waiting for +Dorothy and me to lunch with him. Let +me tell you, Bright, it’s a mighty lucky +thing for Janet Jordan that he is in town. +Come along. We’ll hop a taxi and be with +him in ten minutes.”</p> + +<p>Howard hung back. “But really—”</p> + +<p>Dorothy caught his arm. “Don’t be +silly, now,” she urged.</p> + +<p>“But I can’t call in a detective, Dorothy. +I know I’m rotten at explaining, but if these +devils who have Janet in their power are +interfered with they will kill her out of +hand!”</p> + +<p>“But you spoke of the Secret Service just +now. This is not for publication, but Mr. +Sanborn is the head of that branch of the +government. If anyone <em>can</em> help Janet, he +can do it.”</p> + +<p>“I doubt it. I admit I’m half crazy with +worry, but Janet is going to be removed +from the apartment tonight, and heaven +only knows what will happen then. It +takes days, generally weeks, to get the government +started on anything.”</p> + +<p>“Not Sanborn’s branch of it,” interrupted +Bill. “We’re talking in circles, +Bright. If Sanborn can’t help Janet, he’ll +tell you so. At least you can give him the +dope and find out. He’s an expert and +you’ll get expert advice.”</p> + +<p>“All right, I’ll go with you. But I’m +afraid it won’t do any good. Please don’t +think, though, that I’m not appreciating +the interest you’re taking. I don’t mean +to be a wet blanket.”</p> + +<p>“Of course you don’t, and you’re not.” +Dorothy led toward the staircase. “You’ll +feel a whole lot better when you get the +story off your chest.”</p> + +<p>“And when you’ve got outside a good +substantial lunch,” added Bill. “I know I +shall, anyway.”</p> + +<p>“That,” said Dorothy, “is just like a boy. +I believe you’d eat a good meal, Bill, an +hour before you were hung, if it were offered +to you.”</p> + +<p>“I’d be hanged if I didn’t,” he laughed +and followed her down the steps onto the +main floor.</p> + +<hr class='c003' /> +<table class='fntab' summary='footnote_1'> +<colgroup> +<col span='1' class='c004' /> +<col span='1'/> +</colgroup> +<tr><td class='c005'> +<div id='f1'><a href='#r1' class='c002'>[1]</a></div> +</td><td> +<div class='footnote'> +<p>See <i>Bill Bolton and The Winged Cartwheels.</i></p> + +</div> +</td></tr> +</table> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch02' class='break'>Chapter II<br /><br />“FAMILY AFFAIRS”</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>“Just—one—moment, please!” Ashton +Sanborn’s keen blue eyes twinkled as he +surveyed his young guests. His heavy-set +body moved with a muscular grace as he +placed a chair for Dorothy and motioned +the two boys to seats on a divan nearby. +“Now then, Dorothy and Bill—I want you +two chatterboxes to keep quiet while I ask +Mr. Bright some questions and get this +matter straight in my own head. Your turn +to talk will come later.” His quizzical +smile robbed the words of any +harshness, and the culprits grinned and +nodded their willingness to comply with +his request.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Bright,” he went on, “if you’ll just +answer my questions for the present, I’ll +get you to tell the story from the beginning +in a few minutes.”</p> + +<p>“It’s mighty decent of you to take all this +interest, Mr. Sanborn.”</p> + +<p>The Secret Service Man shook his prematurely +grey head—“It’s my business to +ferret things out. Now, as I understand it, +you mistook Dorothy for her cousin, Miss +Jordan, to whom you are engaged. The +likeness must be amazing?”</p> + +<p>“It is, sir.”</p> + +<p>“Yes—well, we’ll get back to the likeness +after a while. You say that Miss Jordan is +a prisoner in her father’s apartment, and +is in danger of her life?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir.” Howard, tense and taut as a +fiddle string, his hands gripping the edge +of the cushioned couch, gazed steadily +back at his questioner.</p> + +<p>“Do you know for certain that she is in +actual danger at the present moment, +Bright?” Ashton Sanborn’s quiet tone +and unhurried manner of speaking was +gradually gaining the young man’s confidence. +Bill and Dorothy noticed that +Howard’s strained look was beginning to +disappear, and he had started to relax.</p> + +<p>“She has been in great danger,” he replied, +“but now, they’ve decided to test her. +There isn’t a chance, though, that she will +pass the test, Mr. Sanborn. The poor girl +is so worn out and nervous she’s bound to +fail.”</p> + +<p>“Do you know what time she is to be +taken away from the apartment?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir. Lawson told her to pack her +clothes today, so as to be ready to leave at +midnight.”</p> + +<p>“Mmm!” Sanborn glanced at his watch. +“It is now one-thirty. That gives us exactly +eleven and a half hours in which to +get her out of their hands. Now just one +question more, Mr. Bright. What made +you say that this is a matter in which the so-called +Secret Service of the United States +should be called in, rather than the police?”</p> + +<p>“Well,” Howard’s brows knit in a puzzled +frown, “you see, Janet is being taken +to Dr. Tyson Winn’s house near Ridgefield, +Connecticut, tonight. As I understand +it, Dr. Winn has a big laboratory up +there where he is experimenting on high +explosives for the government. Lawson, +the man who told Janet she was to go there, +is Dr. Winn’s secretary. It all looks so +queer to me—I thought—”</p> + +<p>“That <em>is</em> interesting!” Ashton Sanborn’s +tone was serious and for a little while he +seemed lost in thought. Then abruptly he +looked up from an inspection of his finger +tips, and rose from his chair. “I ordered +lunch for three before you young people +arrived,” he said with a return of his cheerful, +hearty way of speaking. “Now I’ll +phone down and have lunch for four served +up here instead.” He looked at Dorothy. +“By the way, the menu calls for oyster +cocktails, sweetbreads on grilled mushrooms, +O’Brien potatoes, alligator pear +salad, and cafe parfait—any suggestions?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, aren’t you a dear!” Dorothy, who +had been using a miniature powder puff on +her nose, snapped shut the cover of her +compact. “You have ordered all the things +I like best. No wonder you’re a great detective—you +never forget a single thing, +no matter what it is.”</p> + +<p>Sanborn laughed. “Thanks for the +compliment—but those dishes happen to +be favorites of my own, too. Now get that +brain of yours working, Dorothy. When +I’ve finished with the head waiter, I want +you to tell us all you know about your uncle +and cousin. Before we can go further I +must have every possible detail of the case +at my fingers’ ends.”</p> + +<p>He took up a phone from a small table +near the window, and Dorothy turned +toward Howard.</p> + +<p>“You probably know more about the +Jordans than I do,” she said. “I have a +picture of Janet that she sent me a couple +of years ago. We always exchange presents +at Christmas—but we’ve never seen +each other.”</p> + +<p>“I really know very little about the Jordans, +myself,” protested Howard. “You +see, Janet and I saw each other for the first +time just five weeks ago. It was on a Sunday +afternoon, I’d been taking a walk in +Central Park, when one of those equinoctial +downpours came on very suddenly. +Janet was right ahead of me, so naturally, +I offered her my umbrella. She’s—well, +rather shy and retiring, and at first she +wasn’t so keen on accepting—”</p> + +<p>“So there <em>is</em> a difference between the +cousins!” Bill winked at Howard. “If it +had been Dorothy, she’d have taken your +overcoat and rubbers as well. Nothing shy +or retiring about Janet’s double!”</p> + +<p>“Is that so, Mr. Smarty! It’s a good thing +Howard met her that rainy Sunday. If it +had been you, Bill, the poor girl would certainly +have got a soaking!”</p> + +<p>“You mean she wouldn’t have accepted +my umbrella?”</p> + +<p>“I <em>mean</em> you never would have offered +it!”</p> + +<p>“You win—one up, Dorothy,” said Ashton +Sanborn when the laughter at this sally +had subsided. “What happened after you +and Janet got under your umbrella, +Bright?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, nothing much. We walked over to +Central Park West but there were no taxis +to be had for love or money. So then I +suggested taking her home and we found +we lived in the same apartment house. I +asked if I might call, but she said that was +impossible—that Mr. Jordan permitted no +callers.”</p> + +<p>“Well,” said Dorothy, “that didn’t seem +to stop you. I mean you are a pretty fast +worker, Howard, to get engaged with a +tyrant father guarding the doorstep and all +that.”</p> + +<p>“Cut it out, Dot,” broke in Bill, who had +been waiting patiently for a chance to get +even. “You can’t be in the center of the +stage all the time, and your remarks are +out of order, anyway.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll dot you one, if you take my name in +vain, young man!”</p> + +<p>“Silence, woman! Go ahead, Howard, +and speak your piece, or she’ll jump in +with both feet next time.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy said nothing but the glance she +shot Bill Bolton was a promise of dire +things to come.</p> + +<p>“Oh, I don’t mind,” grinned Howard, +and Dorothy immediately put him down as +a good sport. “Well, to go on with it—we +used to meet in the lobby, go for walks and +bus rides, sometimes to the movies or a +matinee. Two weeks ago, Janet, who is +just eighteen, by the way, said she would +marry me. She seemed to have no friends +in New York. I’ve seen her father, but +never met him. Except for this horrible +business, which came up a few days ago, +all that I know about Janet is that her +mother died when she was five, her father +parked her at a boarding-school near Chicago, +and she stayed there until last June +when she graduated. Her summer holidays +were spent at a girls’ camp in Wisconsin. +She was never allowed to visit the +homes of the other girls, so Christmas and +Easter holidays she stayed in the school. +During her entire schooling, she saw her +father only five times. Last summer he +took her abroad with him. They travelled +in Germany and in Russia, I believe.”</p> + +<p>“Gosh, what a life for a girl!” exploded +Bill.</p> + +<p>“I should say so!” Dorothy made no +attempt to hide her disgust. “The more I +hear about Uncle Michael, the less I care +about him.”</p> + +<p>“Tell us what you do know about him,” +prompted Sanborn. “I want to get all the +background possible before Bright explains +the girl’s present predicament. I +know a good deal about Dr. Winn and his +secretary. If those men are threatening +her, there must be something very serious +brewing. Go ahead, Dorothy—luncheon +will be up here any minute, now.”</p> + +<p>“All right, but I warn you it isn’t much. +My mother, who as you know died when +I was a little girl, had one sister, my Aunt +Edith, who was her twin. They looked so +much alike that their own father and +mother had trouble in telling them apart. +Aunt Edith fell in love with a young Irishman +named Michael Jordan, whom she met +at a dance. He seemed prosperous, and my +grandfather gave his consent to their engagement. +Then he learned that Michael +Jordan made his money by selling arms +and ammunition to South and Central +American revolutionists. Grandpa, from +all accounts, hit the ceiling. He was a +deacon of the church, very sedate and all +that, and he said he wouldn’t allow his +daughter to marry a gun-runner. And that +was that. To make a long story short, +Aunt Edith ran away with Michael Jordan. +They were married in New York, sent +Grandpa a copy of the marriage certificate, +and then sailed for South America. For +several years there was no word from them +at all. My mother, whose name was Janet, +by the way, loved Aunt Edith as only a twin +can love the other. But she couldn’t write +to her because the eloping couple had left +no address. Six years later, mother had +a letter from Uncle Michael. He was in +Chicago then, and he wrote that Aunt +Edith had died, and that he had placed little +Janet at the Pence School in Evanston. +Mother and Daddy went right out to Chicago, +to see Uncle Michael. They tried +to get him to let them take Janet home with +them, and bring her up with me. I was +only three at the time, so naturally I don’t +remember anything about it. But what I’m +telling you Daddy told to me years later. +Well, their trip to Chicago was all for +nothing—Uncle Michael refused to let +them have Janet. It almost broke my +mother’s heart. Well, and that is the reason +Janet and I have always given each +other presents at Christmas and on our +birthdays, although we’ve never even met. +Two years ago, she sent me her photograph, +and both Daddy and I were +astounded to see the resemblance to me. +Twice, since then, I’ve been taken for Janet +by girls who were at school with her at +Evanston. Perhaps, if we were seen together, +you’d be able to tell us apart—I +don’t know.”</p> + +<p>“I do, though,” declared Howard, “you +may be slightly broader across the shoulders, +Dorothy, but otherwise you might be +Janet, sitting there. You’ve the same +brown hair, grey eyes, your features are +alike—”</p> + +<p>“How about our voices?”</p> + +<p>“Exactly the same. You have a more +forceful way of speaking, that’s all. I keep +wanting to call you ‘Janet’ all the time.” +Howard turned his head away, and +Dorothy could see the emotion that again +overtook him as he thought of his helpless +little fiancee, a prisoner in the hands of +unscrupulous men.</p> + +<p>She glanced at Bill, and shook her head +in sympathy. Just then there came a knock +on the sitting room door.</p> + +<p>“Ah! lunch at last!” Ashton Sanborn +rose and put his hand on Howard’s shoulder. +“Come, no more of this now. The +subject of the double cousins is taboo until +we’ve all done justice to this excellent +meal!”</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch03' class='break'>Chapter III<br /><br />THE SLEEPWALKER</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>“Mr. Sanborn,” said Dorothy, “when +you’re tired of fathoming mysteries for +people, come out to New Canaan and help +me order meals. That was the most +scrumptious lunch I’ve had in a month of +Sundays.” She dropped a lump of sugar +in her demitasse and threw her host a bright +smile across the table.</p> + +<p>“Thank you, my dear,” the detective +smiled back. “I may take you up on that +one of these days. But speaking of mysteries +reminds me that now the waiter is +gone, it’s high time we busied ourselves +again with the affairs of Janet Jordan. +Now that I understand something of the +young lady’s background and her family, +I want to hear all there is to tell about her +present position.” He pulled a briar pipe +and tobacco pouch out of his pocket and +commenced to fill the one with the contents +of the other. “All ready, Howard. Start at +the beginning and don’t skimp on details—they +may be and they generally are important.”</p> + +<p>“Very well, sir. I’ll begin with a week +ago today.” Howard pushed his chair +away from the table, thrust his hands into +trouser pockets and jumped into his story. +“Janet had a date to meet me last Thursday +at two p. m. at the Strand. We intended to +take in a movie—but she never showed +up.”</p> + +<p>“Then you aren’t a business man—?” +This from the detective.</p> + +<p>“Oh, but I am—a mining engineer, Mr. +Sanborn. With the Tuthill Corporation. +But I am free on Thursday afternoons, instead +of Saturday. It is more convenient +for the office staff.”</p> + +<p>“Hasn’t your concern large mining concessions +in Peru?”</p> + +<p>“It has, sir—silver mines. To make matters +worse—but no—I’ll tell it this way. +I particularly wanted to meet Janet last +Thursday, because I had been told the day +before by the head of our New York office +that I was to be transferred to Lima, Peru. +The boat that I’m scheduled to sail on, +leaves this coming Saturday. I was fearfully +pepped up about it. I’m going down +there as assistant manager of our Lima office, +the job carries a considerable increase +in salary, and, if I make good, a fine future +with the firm. My plan was to get Janet to +marry me, with or without her father’s consent, +and to take her to Lima with me. I +couldn’t bear to think of leaving her to the +kind of existence she’d had before I’d +known her—and with no way of correspondence—Well, +I waited for over an +hour in the lobby of the theatre but she +didn’t come. At last I went up to my apartment.”</p> + +<p>“Why didn’t you phone her?” asked +Dorothy, who was nothing if not direct.</p> + +<p>“Because Janet had asked me never to do +that. She said if her father knew she had +a boy friend, he’d pack her off somewhere, +and we’d never be able to meet again.”</p> + +<p>“Nice papa—I don’t think!” observed +Bill Bolton.</p> + +<p>“No comments now, please,” said Sanborn. +“Go on, Howard. If you couldn’t +talk to Janet, how did you find out that she +was a prisoner?”</p> + +<p>Howard smiled. “But we <em>were</em> able to +talk to each other, Mr. Sanborn. About +the time we became engaged, I fixed that. +My small flat is on the ninth floor of the +building, the Jordans’ on the seventh. My +three rooms have windows on an air shaft. +The Jordans’ back bedroom and bath overlook +the same airshaft and are directly opposite +my sitting room, two flights below. +The shaft is only twenty feet wide, so I +bought one of those headphone sets that +are used in airplanes for conversation between +the cockpits of a plane while it is +being flown. I lengthened the wires of +course, and got a long, collapsible pole. +After dark, Janet would come to her window, +I’d pass her headphone set down to +her, hooked on to the end of the pole, and +we would hold long conversations across +the court without anybody being the wiser. +When we were through talking, I’d pass +the pole over to her and draw it back when +she’d attached her headset.”</p> + +<p>“By Jingoes!” cried Bill. “I’ll say that’s +clever!”</p> + +<p>“It sure is, Howard!” Dorothy was +quite as enthusiastic. “You certainly deserve +to get Janet after that.”</p> + +<p>Howard shook his head. “We’ll have to +do something really clever to get her away +from the bunch who are holding her prisoner. +Well,—as I say, when I got to my +flat, I sat down by my sitting room window, +and pretended to read a book. In reality, +of course, I was watching Janet’s window. +Presently she appeared. Even at that distance, +I could see that she had been crying. +She held up a slate, for we never dared to +use the headphones in the day time, and +slates are a good medium for short messages. +On it she had written, ‘<em>After dark.</em>’ +Well, that was one of the longest afternoons +I’d ever put in. About five-thirty, she came +back to her window and I passed over the +headgear. When I heard her story, I went +half crazy, and I guess I’ve been pretty +much that way ever since.</p> + +<p>“You see, Mr. Sanborn, Janet has told +me that occasionally she walks in her sleep, +especially when she isn’t feeling very well. +The evening before, that was a week ago +Wednesday night, she had a headache and +went to bed early. When she awoke, she +was terrified to find herself seated on the +floor of their living room, behind a large +Chinese screen. There seemed to be seven +or eight men in the room, including her +father. Of course, she could not see them, +but she could hear every word they said. +By the clock on the wall above her head, +she saw that it was one in the morning. +She soon realized that this was a meeting of +the heads of some large society or organization +and that these men had come there +from all parts of the world. There was an +air of mystery about them and their +talk. No names were mentioned but they +addressed each other by number. Mr. Jordan +was Number 5; Number 2, who spoke +with a foreign accent, was evidently conducting +the meeting, in place of the absent +Number 1, whom they all seemed to hold +in great awe. Janet realized that she must +have entered the room before the meeting +started, while she was still asleep. She saw +that so long as the meeting lasted, there +would be no way of escape. Gradually she +became terrified at her predicament, +and—”</p> + +<p>“Just a moment,” interrupted Ashton +Sanborn. “Has Janet ever told you anything +of her father’s business?”</p> + +<p>“She really knows nothing about it, Mr. +Sanborn. I asked her myself some time +ago, and she said then, except that he +seemed to travel a lot, she hadn’t the slightest +idea what he did for a living. Once +when she asked him outright what is was, +Mr. Jordan flew into a rage. He said it +was his own affair, and that so long as it +brought them in enough money to live +comfortably, he did not wish her to bring +up the matter again. The one thing she +does know is that he doesn’t go regularly to +an office. Men frequently come to see him +at the apartment, but their conversations +are invariably held behind locked doors.”</p> + +<p>“I see. Go on now, with Janet and the +meeting.”</p> + +<p>“Well, sir, as I’ve said, she was behind +that screen, listening to what the men said—and +in fact, she couldn’t help listening. +Not that she understood much of what they +were saying. Number 2 made a long +speech and the gist of it was that now they +were agreed upon the use of Formula X, +the demonstration (whatever that was) +must be made in their respective sectors at +the same time on the same day. He also +proposed that Number 5 (Janet’s father) +interview Number 1 and learn from him +when the demonstrations should be made. +This motion was carried unanimously. +Then Number 3 asked the chairman if they +could not in future hold their meeting in +some safer place than the Jordans’ apartment. +‘For all we know,’ he said, ‘someone +may be secreted behind that screen!’ +Mr. Jordan laughed at this, and told Number 3 to close up the screen if it made him +nervous. So the first thing Janet knew, +the screen was dragged aside and she was +staring into the face of a Chinaman. Seated +in a circle behind him were the others, her +father among them.”</p> + +<p>“Gosh!” exclaimed Dorothy. “I’ll bet +that scared the poor kid silly.”</p> + +<p>“It did,” admitted Howard. “She was +absolutely petrified. And then there was +the dickens to pay. All the men started +talking at once. The Chinaman pulled a +revolver and pointed it straight at her, yelling +that she had heard their secrets and +must be immediately executed!”</p> + +<p>“‘She has heard nothing!’ her father told +them. ‘She frequently walks in her sleep. +She was asleep when she wandered in here +before the meeting, and she is sleeping now—look!’ +Then he lit a match and held the +flame before Janet’s eyes. ‘You see,’ he +said, ‘she doesn’t even blink. Janet has +heard nothing, gentlemen.’”</p> + +<p>“Of course Janet had taken her father’s +hint, and followed it. She knew that he +was doing the only thing he could to save +her life, so she kept right on staring in front +of her without moving, while the Chinaman +held the automatic within a foot of her +head. But the strain she was under nearly +broke her nerve. She knew that the slightest +sign on her part that she was conscious +would mean a bullet through her brain. A +furious argument followed. Most of the +men—there were eight of them including +Mr. Jordan—wanted her put out of the +way at once. But at last, her father and +Number 2, a big man with a long beard +who seemed to be more humane than the +rest, prevailed upon them to let him lead her +back to her bed. Her father was forbidden +to hold any intercourse with her whatsoever. +She was locked in her bedroom, +afraid even to cry, for fear she would be +heard, and not knowing what moment the +door would open and they would drag her +to her death.”</p> + +<p>“Horrible!” Mr. Sanborn’s pipe had +gone out but he didn’t seem to notice it. +“That experience was enough to unhinge +a person’s mind. Janet may be shy and +retiring, but she evidently doesn’t lack grit. +By the way, did she say she recognized any +of the men at the meeting?”</p> + +<p>“No. She said that without exception +she was sure she’d never seen any of them +before, although they were all on good +terms with her father. Each one seemed +to be of a different nationality. One was a +black man who wore a turban—an East +Indian, probably. Another, also pretty +dark, wore a red fez. The others were apparently +Europeans, but as they all spoke +English together she had no way of guessing +what they were. Number 2, the man +with the long brown beard, she thought +might be a Scandinavian. She was sure, +though, that her father was the only American +or Anglo-Saxon in the group.”</p> + +<p>“Tell us what happened next morning,” +proposed Dorothy. Her coffee, now cold, +remained untasted in the cup.</p> + +<p>“I’m getting to that. At eight o’clock +her door was unlocked and a woman, a +stranger to her, came into her bedroom with +a breakfast tray. She put the tray on a +table and went into the bathroom and +turned on the water for Janet’s bath, then +left the room and locked the door after her. +At nine this same woman came back, +brought some books and magazines to her, +made up the bed and put the room straight. +Whenever Janet spoke to her, she shook +her head and put her finger to her lips. +But Janet said that even now she doesn’t +know whether the woman is actually dumb +or only acting under orders. She has +brought and taken away her meals ever +since, but she has never been able to get +her to speak.”</p> + +<p>“But how did she find out about going to +Dr. Winn’s house?” asked Bill Bolton, +who had shown an interest quite as keen as +Dorothy’s or Sanborn’s.</p> + +<p>Howard Bright drank a glass of water. +“I’m getting to that part now,” he explained. +“I’m not much of a story teller and +I seem to be taking an awful time to get +through this one—but I’m doing my best +just the same.”</p> + +<p>“Of course you are!” Dorothy motioned +Bill to keep quiet. “You’re doing +noble, Howard! Pay no attention to that +goof over there.”</p> + +<p>“O.K., Dorothy.” Howard replaced +his empty glass on the table. “At about +noon of the first day of Janet’s imprisonment +in her room, the door was unlocked +and Mr. Lawson came in. She knew him +as a friend of her father’s who had dined +with them two or three times. She had always +thought him quite a jolly sort of chap +and knew that he was private secretary to +Dr. Winn, the celebrated chemist. Naturally, +she felt rather relieved to see him, and +she opened up on him at once. She still +felt that her only hope for life and freedom +was to pretend absolute ignorance of the +happenings of the night before. And she +managed to keep up that pretense before +Lawson, though what he had to do with the +affair she hadn’t any idea, nor does she yet +know where he comes into the picture. +Anyway, he wasn’t at the meeting. She let +him know, though, that she was very indignant and astonished to find herself kept +a prisoner, and demanded to see her father. +Lawson, she told me, was most affable and +kind to her. He said that she of course did +not realize that she had been very ill during +the night and that she was now under doctor’s +orders. He also told her that her +father had been called away on business, so +he had come to her as an old friend of the +family, to be of any help that he could. +Janet said that his sympathy almost undermined +her suspicion—she almost confided +in him. But luckily, she didn’t. He has +been to see her every day since, and she is +now convinced that his part in this devilish +scheme is to gain her confidence, and to +find out whether she actually did hear or +see anything at the meeting. Yesterday he +told her that it had been decided she should +visit him and his wife at Dr. Winn’s house +while her father is away, and that in order +to occupy her mind, she should act as secretary +to Mrs. Lawson, who assists Dr. Winn +in his work.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe they don’t really mean to harm +her after all,” said Dorothy hopefully.</p> + +<p>“Janet is certain,” said Howard, “that +they want her at the Doctor’s for close observation. +She took a secretarial course at +school, so that part of it is all right, but I +believe with her that one slip, one sign that +she is deceiving them, will mean that she +will simply vanish and never be heard of +again. She knows that Lawson lied about +one thing: her father is still living in their +flat. She has heard his voice several times.”</p> + +<p>“But what I can’t understand,” said +Dorothy, “is why, just as soon as you knew +all this, you didn’t go to the nearest police +station and have that flat raided!”</p> + +<p>“Because, Janet won’t hear of it.” Howard’s +tone was thoroughly wretched. “I +worked out some other plans to release her, +but she refuses to budge.”</p> + +<p>“Is the girl crazy?” This from Bill.</p> + +<p>“No—she’s as sane as any of us—maybe +saner. She says that if the police are called +in or I help her to escape, that crew will +believe her father knew all the time that +she was faking—as of course he does. And +she says she is sure they will have him killed +out of hand, once they discover that. To +make matters worse, if possible, my firm +thinks I’m going to sail for Lima the day +after tomorrow! If I turn them down, I’ll +lose my job here and ruin my future. I’ve +been hoping against hope that something +would turn up so Janet could sail with me. +I certainly shall not sail without her. I was +buying some clothes for the trip when I ran +into you this morning—” Howard’s voice +trailed off hopelessly.</p> + +<p>“Gee!” It was evident that Dorothy was +not far from tears. “You poor dears are +in an awful fix! I do wish I could help you. +Do <em>something</em>—so that you two could get +married and sail for Peru!”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps you can.” Ashton Sanborn +knocked the ashes from his pipe into an +ash tray.</p> + +<p>“<em>How?</em>” shouted three voices simultaneously.</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch04' class='break'>Chapter IV<br /><br />MEET FLASH!</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>“Dorothy, have you ever done anything +in the way of amateur theatricals?” Ashton +Sanborn stroked the bowl of his pipe +reflectively.</p> + +<p>“Why—er—yes, a little.” She looked a +bit bewildered. “I’ve been in the Silvermine +Sillies for the past two years.”</p> + +<p>Sanborn nodded. “How is it you’re out +of school on a Thursday?” The question +seemed irrelevant. He was leaning back +in his chair now, surveying the ceiling +rather absently, but there was nothing lackadaisical +about his crisp tones.</p> + +<p>“Christmas holidays. Why?”</p> + +<p>“Because, if you’re willing, I may want +you to work for me for a few days. I suppose +I can reach your father by telephone +at the New Canaan bank?”</p> + +<p>“No, you can’t—Daddy is down in +Florida on a fishing trip. He’s on Mr. +Bolton’s yacht, somewhere off the coast. +They won’t be back until Christmas Eve.”</p> + +<p>“That,” said the Secret Service man, +“complicates matters. Who, may I ask, +is looking after Miss Dixon while Mr. +Dixon is away?”</p> + +<p>“I’m looking after my own sweet self, +sir.” Dorothy grinned roguishly.</p> + +<p>“Then who is to take the responsibility +for your actions, young lady?”</p> + +<p>“Why, you may—if you want to!”</p> + +<p>For a moment or two the detective +studied her thoughtfully. There was a certain +assurance about this girl’s manner, a +steely quality that came sometimes into her +grey eyes, an indefinable air of strength +and quiet courage—</p> + +<p>“Do you think you could impersonate +your cousin, Dorothy?”</p> + +<p>“Why—of course!” Dorothy showed +her surprise. “We look exactly alike. +Didn’t Howard take me for Janet?”</p> + +<p>“He did—but from what he has told us +about her, your natures are entirely different. Janet, from all accounts, is a rather +meek and demure young lady. Remember, +that in order to convince anyone who +knows her you would have to submerge +your own personality in hers. And nobody +would ever describe <em>you</em> as a meek, +demure young lady!”</p> + +<p>“An untamed wildcat—if you ask me,” +chuckled Bill.</p> + +<p>“Why, thanks a lot, William!” +Dorothy’s hearers were abruptly aware of +the changed quality of her voice as she continued +to speak in melting tones of pained +acceptance. “But nobody <em>did</em> ask you, darling, +so in future when your betters are +conversing, be good enough to button up +that lip of yours!” She finished her withering +tirade in the same quiet tones and with +a positively shrinking demeanor that sent +the others into shouts of laughter.</p> + +<p>“Say, you’re Janet to a T!” cried Howard. +“Her voice is always like that if I +happen to hurt her feelings.”</p> + +<p>“How about her hair, Howard? Is it +long or short?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, she wears it bobbed like yours.”</p> + +<p>“I suppose,” Dorothy said to Mr. Sanborn, +“that you want to smuggle me into +the flat and have me change places with +her?”</p> + +<p>“That’s the idea exactly,” admitted the +detective. “And I don’t want you to make +your decision until I explain my plan in detail—or, +rather, the necessity for the risk +you will be taking.”</p> + +<p>“Shoot—” said Miss Dixon, “but I can +tell you right now, risk or no risk, I’m +going through with it. Janet, after all +she’s been through and from what Howard +has told us, is bound to flop once she gets to +Dr. Winn’s. Nervous, and probably high +strung, the chances are against her being +able to hold up under the strain.”</p> + +<p>“I think you are right about that. But +although Janet is in serious danger, she +could be rescued and her father guarded +without bringing you into the picture, +Dorothy, if it were not for one thing. +These men who hold Janet in their custody +are in some way mixed up with Dr. Winn, +who has undertaken to make some very +important experiments for the United +States government.”</p> + +<p>“I make a bet that he is Number 1 of the +gang!” ventured Bill, the irrepressible.</p> + +<p>“Very possibly. That has yet to be discovered. +But what I want you young +people to realize is that this is no ordinary +gang. Quite evidently we are up against +an international organization. Their +treatment of Janet is concrete evidence of +their cold-blooded ruthlessness when they +believe their plans to be in jeopardy. If +you take your cousin’s place, Dorothy, of +course we will see that you are well guarded, +but even so, your part in clearing up this +mystery will entail a very great element of +risk.”</p> + +<p>“I’m willing to take the chance.” +Dorothy met his inquiring eyes steadily. +“Naturally, I’m sorry for Janet and I want +to help her. The only thing is, I’ve got to +be back at High School by January +fourth.”</p> + +<p>“I think I can promise you that this +job will be cleaned up within a week.”</p> + +<p>“I reckon,” smiled Bill, “that you haven’t +told us all you know about these lads with +numbers instead of names.”</p> + +<p>“Not quite all.” Sanborn smiled back at +him. “But that is neither here nor there +just now. By the way, Dorothy, how are +you on shorthand and typewriting?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, not so worse. It’s part of the course +I’m taking at New Canaan High.”</p> + +<p>“Good enough. Frankly, young lady, I +would not consider using you, had not the +New Canaan Bank robbery, the affair of +the Mystery Plane and the Conway Case +proved conclusively that you have a decided +flair for this kind of thing.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you, sir,” said Miss Dixon with +mock coyness. “Them kind words is a +great comfort to a poor workin’ goil. Do +I pack a gat wid me, Mister?”</p> + +<p>“You do not. In fact, you will take +nothing except what belongs to your +cousin. If I am able to get you into the +Jordan flat and they carry you up to Ridgefield +in her place, just being Janet Jordan, +who never woke up when she was sleepwalking +last week will be your best protection. +Of course, I’m not deserting you. +Either I or some of my men will find means +of keeping in touch with you constantly.”</p> + +<p>“And when the villains scrag me, the +secret service boys will arrive on the scene +just in time—to identify the deceased! No +thank you. If the gun is out of orders, +Flash will have to go. Of course my jiu +jitsu may help at a pinch, but Flash is more +potent and ever so much quicker.”</p> + +<p>“What are you talking about, Dorothy?” +Ashton Sanborn looked puzzled.</p> + +<p>“It’s a cinch you can’t drag a dog along +if that’s your big idea,” declared Bill.</p> + +<p>“It is not the big idea, old thing.” +Dorothy grinned wickedly. “Flash and I +have got very clubby this fall. He’s really +quite a dear, you know. We travel about +together a lot.”</p> + +<p>“The mystery of this age,” observed Bill, +“is how certain females can talk so much +and say so little.”</p> + +<p>“Then,” said Dorothy cheerfully, “I’ll +let you solve the mystery right now. +Catch!” She tossed him a macaroon from +a plate on the table. “Go over to that bedroom +door,” she commanded. “Stand to +one side of the door and throw that thing +into the air.”</p> + +<p>“But, I say, Dorothy!” interposed Ashton +Sanborn. “This is no time for fooling, +we’ve got—”</p> + +<p>“This is not fooling, you dear old fuss-budget,” +she cut in. “It’s—well, it’s just +something that may save you from worrying +so much about me. Now, Bill, are +you ready?”</p> + +<p>“Anything to please the ladies,” retorted +that young man wearily. He got up and +walked to the far end of the room and took +his stand beside the closed door. “Is Flash +a cake hound? Will he jump for the +cookie?”</p> + +<p>“He sure will—toss it in the air.”</p> + +<p>The small cake went spinning toward +the ceiling, and at the same instant +Dorothy’s right hand disappeared under +the table. With the speed of legerdemain +she brought it into view again and her arm +shot out suddenly like a signpost across the +white cloth. There was a streak of silver +light—and the three male members of the +quartet stared at the bedroom door in open-mouthed +wonder. Quivering in the very +center of its upper panel was a small knife, +and impaled on the knife’s blade was the +macaroon.</p> + +<p>“Meet Flash!” said Dorothy.</p> + +<p>“Great suffering snakes!” exploded Bill, +plucking out the blade, and examining it. +“The thing’s a throwing knife.”</p> + +<p>“Six inches of razor-keen, leaf-shaped +blade,” said Dorothy, “and three inches of +carved ivory hilt, beautifully balanced—that’s +Flash. How do you like him, fellers?”</p> + +<p>“You,” declared Howard, who was still +goggle-eyed with surprise, “you are the +most amazing girl I’ve ever met, Dorothy!”</p> + +<p>“And you don’t know the half of it,” said +Bill with unstinted fervor.</p> + +<p>“Think I can take care of myself at a +pinch, Uncle Sanborn?” Dorothy was +laughing at the expression of astonishment +on the detective’s face.</p> + +<p>“You win, young lady.” He chuckled +softly. “After this I’ll keep my worries for +Doctor Winn and his friends. Who’d have +thought you had anything like that up your +sleeve!”</p> + +<p>“Not up my sleeve, old dear. A little +leather sheath strapped just above my left +knee is where Flash came from.”</p> + +<p>“Regular Jesse James stuff, eh?” remarked +Bill as he handed back the knife.</p> + +<p>“Oh, yeah?” Flash disappeared as +quickly as he’d come, and Dorothy stood +up. “What’s on the boards, now, boss?” +she asked sweetly.</p> + +<p>“Howard—” said Ashton Sanborn, +“will you let me have the key to that apartment +of yours? Thanks. Bill and I will +need it this afternoon, and even if things go +according to Hoyle, we’ll be powerful +busy. In the meantime, I’ve got a job for +you and Dorothy.” He took out his pocketbook +and extracting a sheaf of bills, handed +them to the girl.</p> + +<p>“You and Howard are going to have a +busy afternoon, too. See that you’re back +here in time for dinner at seven, and—”</p> + +<p>“But what under the sky-blue canopy is +all this?” Dorothy was thumbing the bills, +counting them. “Why, I’ve never seen so +much money—”</p> + +<p>“Use it to buy your cousin a trousseau. +Have the things sent to Mrs. Howard +Bright’s apartment at this hotel. And remember, +that when she arrives here, Janet +will have nothing but the clothes she is +wearing. You don’t mind doing this, do +you?”</p> + +<p>“Mind! Why, I’ll love it!” Dorothy +turned a dazzling smile on Howard, who +was simply tongue-tied by the detective’s +announcement. “Isn’t he swell, Howard? +Isn’t he some guy?”</p> + +<p>Ashton Sanborn laughed. “Don’t thank +me. Uncle Sam is paying, so you needn’t +bring back any change.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy thrust the money into her purse. +“Don’t worry, old bean, I won’t. So long, +you two. Come on, Howard, we’re going +to have a beautiful afternoon!” She caught +young Bright by the arm and whirled him +across the room to the coat-rack. She +jammed a bright green beret over her right +ear and slung her leopard-cat coat onto her +shoulders. “All set for Fifth Avenue!” she +called out merrily as she preceded Howard +out of the room.</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch05' class='break'>Chapter V<br /><br />ON SECRET SERVICE</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>To say that Dorothy enjoyed her afternoon’s +shopping would be putting it +mildly. Give any girl plenty of money and +tell her to go out and buy an entire trousseau +for herself—or even for somebody +else—and watch her jump at the chance!</p> + +<p>Howard trailed along in more or less of +a daze. This sudden change in his outlook; +being drawn from the depths of despondency +to the hope of a future with the +girl he loved, and all in the space of a +couple of hours, was a little too much for +him to realize at once. Ever after, he had +but a hazy recollection of that shopping +tour. The afternoon seemed but a whirling +maze of lingerie, stockings, street +dresses, party frocks, coats, hats, shoes and +accessories, upon which his advice was invariably +asked, and never taken.</p> + +<p>They were bowling hotelwards in a +taxi, jammed with cardboard boxes and +packages of various shapes and sizes, before +he returned to normal.</p> + +<p>“Whew!” he looked at Dorothy. “I +should think you’d be dead!”</p> + +<p>She shook her head and laughed. “No +girl ever gets tired of shopping,” she told +him gaily. “Wait till you’re married—you’ll +find out.”</p> + +<p>“But what’s the idea of bringing all these +things back with us? I thought Mr. Sanborn +said to have them sent.”</p> + +<p>“He did—but I have a better idea. This +is part of it. I’ll tell you all about it when +we get to the hotel. Keep still now—I want +to go over the lists and see if I’ve forgotten +anything!”</p> + +<p>Howard sighed in resignation.</p> + +<p>At the hotel desk they learned that Ashton +Sanborn had not returned as yet, but +had left word that they should go to his +rooms. With the assistance of three bellboys, +they piled themselves and their packages +into the elevator.</p> + +<p>“Gee! This looks like the night before +Christmas!” Howard dropped his hat and +overcoat and stared at the boxes and +bundles piled along the wall of the sitting +room. “Janet certainly will be surprised +when she sees all those things!”</p> + +<p>Dorothy pulled off her close-fitting little +hat, and tossed it with her purse and coat +onto the table. Then she sank into an easy-chair. +“Well, I only hope she’ll approve. +My, this was a strenuous afternoon. You’d +better sit down.”</p> + +<p>Howard followed her advice. “You +said it. But I know Janet—she’ll be crazy +about the things you’ve bought.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, you boys are all alike.” Dorothy +yawned unashamedly.</p> + +<p>“I don’t get you.”</p> + +<p>“What I mean is that as soon as a fellow +goes round with a girl for a while, he invariably +says ‘Oh yes, she’ll like this,’ or, +‘she won’t like that’.”</p> + +<p>“And—?”</p> + +<p>“Ninety-nine times out of a hundred you +guess wrong.”</p> + +<p>“Why?”</p> + +<p>“I think it’s because girls like to do their +own choosing. Especially when it comes +to buying clothes. Well, anyway, I think +the things are darling, and they’ll be becoming, +too. At least they look well on +me.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t worry—those clothes will make +her look like a million dollars.”</p> + +<p>“I know they will. I’m tired, I guess.” +Dorothy yawned again and closed her eyes.</p> + +<p>Howard started to say something, +thought better of it, yawned, and let his +head pillow itself on the soft upholstery.</p> + +<p>Three quarters of an hour later, Ashton +Sanborn and Bill Bolton marched into the +room to find the two shoppers sound asleep +in their respective chairs. The detective +coughed discreetly and both the young +people awoke.</p> + +<p>“I see that you’ve brought your spoils +back with you,” he smiled, pointing to the +boxes and bundles. Dorothy stared at him, +only half awake, then sat upright in her +chair as she realized where she was.</p> + +<p>“Looks to me,” said Bill, getting out of +his overcoat, “as if she thought Janet was +going to start a shop of her own. Why did +you cart all the stuff back here instead of +having it sent?”</p> + +<p>“Because, Mr. Inquisitive—well, just +because. You and Howard run along now +and prepare your handsome selves for dinner. +The principles of this piece are going +into conference now.”</p> + +<p>“My <em>word</em>—” began Bill, but at a shake +of the head from Sanborn, he took the still +drowsy Howard by the arm and together +they disappeared into the bedroom.</p> + +<p>“Pretty tough time you’ve had, I expect?” +Mr. Sanborn’s eyes twinkled, +though his tone was grave.</p> + +<p>“Oh, but it was lots of fun,” cried +Dorothy. “Thanks to Uncle Sam, and +Uncle Sanborn! And look here, I’ve got +a great idea.”</p> + +<p>“Which has to do with your bringing +back the packages yourself?”</p> + +<p>“Quite right, it has. Do you think those +boys can hear what we’re saying?”</p> + +<p>“I doubt it, Dorothy—but Bill, as you +probably guessed at the end of the affair +of the Winged Cartwheels, is a full-fledged +member of my organization and—”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I don’t mind Bill,” she interrupted +in a low tone. “But Howard mustn’t get +wind of it. He might make a fuss.”</p> + +<p>She rose from her chair and going over +to the detective, began to whisper in his +ear.</p> + +<p>“But that’s impossible, Dorothy!” he +protested, although he allowed a smile to +come to his eyes. “And what’s more, my +dear, I’m afraid it would be illegal.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, no, it wouldn’t! Not if you—” +And again she brought her lips close to +his ear.</p> + +<p>“You’re a young scamp!” he laughed as +she ended. “But—well—you’re doing a +great deal for me, so—”</p> + +<p>“So you’ll go downstairs and start telephoning +right away!” she prompted +eagerly.</p> + +<p>Ashton Sanborn held up his hands in +mock despair. “Nieces,” he declared, +“should not badger hard-working old +uncles. But since this niece has been a +good girl today, Uncle will do as he’s +asked.”</p> + +<p>“I shall never call you anything else but +Uncle Sanborn, now,” Dorothy cried delightedly.</p> + +<p>“Thanks, my child, and I’ll do my best +for you.”</p> + +<p>“Angel uncles can do no more,” she +laughed.</p> + +<p>“Right-o. I’ll be on my way, then. +Come along in about fifteen minutes with +Bill and Howard. I’ll arrange for a table +for dinner and meet you three in Peacock +Alley.” The detective caught up his hat +and hurried out of the room.</p> + +<hr class='c007' /> + +<p>Although Mr. Sanborn was a perfect +host, and did all he could to make that +dinner entertaining, he confessed later that +he would always consider it one of the few +failures of an otherwise unblemished career.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding the delicious food, the +charm and beauty of the huge room with +its lights and music and scores of well-dressed +men and beautifully gowned +women, the dinner was not a success. All +three of the young people were too excited +by thoughts of what would happen later to +do justice to the meal. Dorothy, moreover, +had the added annoyance of feeling that +her tailored frock, smart enough for luncheon +or shopping, was definitely not the +thing to wear at dinner in a fashionable +hotel. Each endeavored to be sprightly +and at ease. But since they knew that the +one thing they wanted to talk about was forbidden +in public, conversation flagged. +Upstairs at last in Mr. Sanborn’s sitting +room, he came directly to the point.</p> + +<p>“Now I know you’re just rearing to go,” +he said. “And perhaps the sooner we get +under way, the better.” He turned to Bill. +“You go ahead with Howard,” he ordered. +“Dorothy and I will follow you in about +ten minutes. Go straight to the apartment. +We’ll meet you there.”</p> + +<p>“O and likewise K, boss,” Bill returned. +“Get into your rubbers, Howard. And +don’t look so gloomy. You’re on your way +to meet your best girl, remember.”</p> + +<p>When they had gone, Dorothy turned at +once to the detective. “How about it, +Uncle Sanborn?” she asked eagerly.</p> + +<p>“To quote Bill, ‘O and likewise K,’ +niece.”</p> + +<p>“Gee, you <em>are</em> a dear!” Dorothy clapped +her hands. “And now that that is that—I +don’t care what happens.”</p> + +<p>“But I do, Dorothy.” Ashton Sanborn +was serious. “Listen to me, young lady. +From now on you’re working for the U. S. +government, under me, and I must have my +orders obeyed to the letter.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir, I understand.” Dorothy’s +tone was crisp and business-like.</p> + +<p>“Good. I let those chaps go ahead of us +as there is no need of having us all arrive +at that apartment house at the same time. +This afternoon, Bill and I made all arrangements, +so that you can change places +with your cousin shortly after you arrive.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy felt secretly proud that this +keen-eyed secret service man took her at +her word, and did not ask her again if she +were really willing to go through with it. +“May I ask you a question?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly.”</p> + +<p>“Well, suppose that after you manage to +get me into Janet’s room, she refuses to +leave it. Do you want me to force her?”</p> + +<p>“Heavens, no.” Sanborn laughed. +“That has all been taken care of, Dorothy. +I talked to your cousin by means of +Howard’s headphone set shortly after dark +this afternoon. I explained the whole +thing to her and when she understood that +her father would be brought into no extra +danger because of our plan, and that I had +drafted you into becoming a secret service +operative, she consented.”</p> + +<p>“I’m glad of that,” said Dorothy fervently. +“She could easily have misunderstood +and spoiled everything.”</p> + +<p>“Well, we’ll have a lot to do to put it over, +even though Janet is willing. I persuaded +her that by doing exactly what you told her, +once you arrived, she would be serving her +country like a loyal American. You, of +course, will use your own judgment, when +you see her. The principal thing is to +change clothes and get her out the way you +came just as soon as possible.”</p> + +<p>“But how am I to get into the Jordans’ +apartment?”</p> + +<p>“Good soldiers, Dorothy, do not ask +questions. There’s no secret about it, but +I’ve other things to tell you now. Lawson +will probably come for you—or for Janet, +as he will believe you to be. He is a tall, +slender man, about thirty, rather good-looking, +dark curly hair and a small mustache. +Your Uncle Michael, if you should run +into him, is heavy set and rather short. He +has reddish hair, turning grey, and is clean +shaven. Janet has never met either Doctor +Winn, or Mrs. Lawson. Now just a word +about the lady. She is a very beautiful and +a very clever woman. Be on your guard +with her, continually. I believe that the +principal reason that you, or rather, Janet +Jordan, will be taken to Ridgefield, is so +that you may be studied at first hand by this +woman. There is no need for me to tell +you to keep up the Janet personality day +and night. Incidentally, you will have +only a very short time to study your cousin, +so make the most of it. Well,” he concluded, +“I guess that’s about all. You will +receive further orders within the next day +or two. In the meantime, simply carry on +as Janet Jordan. I am taking a great responsibility +in letting you go, my dear. For +I won’t hide the fact that you’d probably be +safer in a den of rattlesnakes than in the +same house with Mr. and Mrs. Lawson.”</p> + +<p>“I’m not afraid, you know,” said Dorothy +simply and smiled up at him.</p> + +<p>“I know you’re not. But it would really +be better if you were. For then you’d be +much more careful, and you must watch +your step every minute until I get you out +of it. Here’s your coat. Slip into it and +we’ll get going. The sooner I get you +safely into Janet’s room, and that young +lady out of it, the easier will your Uncle +Sanborn feel.”</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch06' class='break'>Chapter VI<br /><br />WHO’S WHO?</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>The December evening was cold and +wet as Dorothy and Ashton Sanborn +crossed the sidewalk and entered their taxi-cab. +The day had been a dreary one, and +now a dense, drizzling fog lay low upon +the great city. Dun-colored clouds +drooped over a muddy Park Avenue as +they were swept up town. On the side +streets the electrics were but misty splotches +of diffused light which threw feeble +circular glimmers upon the slimy pavements. +The yellow glare from shopwindows +streamed out into the chill, vaporous +air, and threw a murky, shifting radiance +across the crowded thoroughfare. To +Dorothy there was something eerie and +ghostlike in the endless procession of faces +which flitted across these narrow bars of +light. She was not in any respect a timid +girl, but the dull, heavy evening, and the +prospect of the strange venture in which +they were engaged, combined to make her +feel nervous and depressed.</p> + +<p>At 59th street the taxi turned west and +rolled steadily along the shining black asphalt, +stopping now and then for the red +lights. They crossed 5th Avenue and +swung into Central Park. Dorothy +caught glimpses of the gaunt shapes of +trees in silhouette against the cold fog. She +closed her eyes and resolutely turned her +thoughts to the events of the afternoon.</p> + +<p>So engrossed had she become in the contemplation +of her delightful buying orgy +that she was surprised when their cab +pulled up with a jerk and Ashton Sanborn +opened the door.</p> + +<p>“Muffle up in your fur collar, Dorothy,” +he said. “The fewer people who see your +face, the better.”</p> + +<p>Now that the ordeal had arrived, Dorothy’s +nervousness vanished. She buried +the lower part of her face in the soft fur +collar and walked at Mr. Sanborn’s side +into the lobby of the apartment house.</p> + +<p>A darkey in brass buttoned uniform +stood by the elevator. Two shining rows +of white teeth flashed in a smile of greeting +for the detective.</p> + +<p>“All the way up, George.” Mr. Sanborn +gave the order as the car started upward.</p> + +<p>“Yaas, suh, boss, I understand.” George +smiled again, and presently the elevator +stopped.</p> + +<p>With Mr. Sanborn in the lead, Dorothy +walked along a corridor and up a narrow +flight of stairs. The detective opened a door +at the top and the damp cold of the night +swept in upon them. A moment later they +were crossing the flat roof of the apartment +house toward a small group who +stood near the parapet at the roof’s edge. +As they drew nearer, she saw that the group +awaiting them was composed of Bill Bolton, +Howard, and a stranger. They were +standing beside a small crane.</p> + +<p>The secret service man nodded a greeting +and turned to Dorothy. “We are +directly above Janet’s window, which is +three flights below,” he said quietly, and +glanced at the luminous dial of his wrist-watch.</p> + +<p>“And you’re going to let me down with +the auto-crane?” she asked with just a +tremor of excitement in her voice.</p> + +<p>“That’s the idea. It’s perfectly safe. +Bill tested it this afternoon.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy gave a little laugh. “Oh, I’m +not scared, Uncle Sanborn.”</p> + +<p>“I know you aren’t, my dear.”</p> + +<p>“When do I take off?”</p> + +<p>“Whenever you’re ready.”</p> + +<p>“All set now, then, please.”</p> + +<p>“Good. You’ll go in a minute. Here +are last instructions. You will seat yourself +in that swinging seat that Bill is holding. +The cable to which it is attached runs +through the pulley at the end of the crane’s +arm. This building is nine stories high. +The Jordans’ flat is on the seventh floor, +you remember, so Janet’s window is the +third one down.” He moved to the low +parapet and leaned over. “The window is +dark, so everything is O.K.,” he said, coming +back to her. “Pull your seat in with you +when you enter, Dorothy, and pull down +the shade, of course, when the light is +turned on. When Janet is ready, switch +off the light again and have her give a +couple of pulls on this guide rope.” He +placed the rope in her hand. “Then we +will hoist her up. Ready for your hop +now?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, thanks.”</p> + +<p>“Good luck, then. And remember that +although you may not see us, I or some of +my men will be near you all the time.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy shook hands with her three +friends and stepped into her swinging seat. +She sat down, steadying herself with a grip +on the cable.</p> + +<p>“All serene?” asked Bill.</p> + +<p>“Shove off!” said Dorothy.</p> + +<p>Bill motioned to the stranger, there came +the low whir of an electric motor. Her +feet left the roof and she felt herself swung +upward. Then the ascent stopped, the arm +of the crane swung outward and with it her +pendant seat. Her feet cleared the parapet +and she was over the narrow airshaft.</p> + +<p>Blurred lights from closed windows of +the various apartments gave her a glimpse +of many empty ashcans in the small courtyard +far below. But the crane was lowering +her now close to the wall of the building. +She was facing the wall, and looking +upward she made out four heads leaning +over the parapet at the edge of the roof.</p> + +<p>The descent was slow, but at last she +passed two windows and came to rest beside +the third, whose lower sash she saw +was open. Then two arms caught her about +the knees and she was pulled into the room.</p> + +<p>“Dorothy—oh, Dorothy!” sobbed an +excited voice so like her own that Dorothy +gave a start.</p> + +<p>“Well, here I am, Janet.” It was a prosaic +reply, but her own heart was beating +quickly, nevertheless. “Gee, it’s dark in +here! Be a dear and shut down the window +on this cable—and draw the shade, +then turn on the light. I’m busy getting +out of this thing.”</p> + +<p>She heard the window and shade come +down with a rush. As she stepped free of +her conveyance, the lights flashed on, and +the cousins flew into each other’s arms.</p> + +<p>“Janet!”</p> + +<p>“Dorothy!”</p> + +<p>For a long moment the girls hugged +each other and Janet, the more over-wrought, +sobbed on her cousin’s shoulder.</p> + +<p>Dorothy was herself deeply touched, but +managed to control her feelings. “Come, +dear,” she said at last. “We’ll just have to +get going, I guess. They’re waiting for +you on the roof—and somebody is likely +to come to the door. We mustn’t be caught +together, you know.”</p> + +<p>“I know it.” Janet released her and +again Dorothy gasped, for she heard her +own voice speaking although the words +came from Janet.</p> + +<p>“Look, Dorothy!” Janet pointed to a +long mirror in the corner of the room. “I +knew that we were a lot alike, but I never +could have believed—”</p> + +<p>“Well, talk about two peas in a pod!” In +the glass Dorothy saw herself standing beside +her cousin; and had it not been that +she wore a coat and hat, while Janet was +dressed in a wine-colored silk frock, she +would have had difficulty in knowing +which was her own reflection. “Maybe +I’m half an inch taller, or hardly that,” she +said after a bit. “Lucky we both have had +our hair shingled. You wear a bang, +though—but that’s easily fixed.”</p> + +<p>She whipped off her small hat and went +over to the dressing table where she picked +up a pair of nail scissors. Two minutes of +snipping and Janet’s bang was duplicated +on her own forehead. The hair she had +cut off had been carefully placed on a +magazine cover and opening the window a +trifle she dropped the ends into the night.</p> + +<p>“Now,” she said, closing the window. +“You and I had better change clothes, +Janet. And we’ll have to make it snappy.”</p> + +<p>“Yes—and oh dear—” Janet was slipping +off her dress—“I’ve got so much to +talk about. You can’t realize what a horrible +time I’ve had—and then to find you, +only to lose you again!” Janet was very +near to tears.</p> + +<p>“But you won’t lose me long,” Dorothy +flashed her a comforting smile as she got +out of her own dress. “Meanwhile, you’ll +have Howard. He’s waiting on the roof, +now. And Ashton Sanborn says he can +clear up this business in a few days.”</p> + +<p>“You certainly are wonderfully brave to +do this for me,” sighed her cousin. “If Mr. +Sanborn hadn’t insisted that by changing +places with you I’d be really helping the +government, I couldn’t allow you to do it. +As it is, I feel I’m cowardly to go through +with it—”</p> + +<p>“Why, you’re nothing of the sort,” Dorothy +protested. While Janet talked and they +both undressed, she watched her cousin’s +mannerisms, storing away in her memory, +for future use, every gesture, and inflection +of the voice so like her own.</p> + +<p>“Who’s who?” she giggled, and now her +tone was softer, an exact duplication of +Janet’s manner of speaking.</p> + +<p>Her cousin smiled. “In our undies,” she +admitted, “even I am beginning to wonder +if I’m not seeing double and talking to myself. +How about shoes and stockings, +Dorothy?”</p> + +<p>“Chuck ’em over, Janet, we’d better do +it up right. I sp’ose most of your things +are packed in that wardrobe trunk over +there?”</p> + +<p>“Yes. I packed it this afternoon. +You’ll find some handkerchiefs and gloves +in the top bureau drawer. I left the trunk +open on purpose. When Mr. Lawson +comes, you might be putting them in—it +would help to make things natural.”</p> + +<p>“Right you are—that’s a good idea.”</p> + +<p>“My arctics and my hat and coat are in +the closet. Your coat is much better looking +than mine. It’s a shame to take it from +you.”</p> + +<p>“What’s a coat between cousins who love +each other?” laughed Dorothy and put on +Janet’s dress.</p> + +<p>A few minutes later, the change of clothing +had been made, and the girls regarded +each other in awed wonder.</p> + +<p>“I’ll bet,” Dorothy declared, “that when +Howard sees you he’ll think I’ve come +back again.”</p> + +<p>Janet blushed. “Well, he’ll soon find +out different. But it’s a shame to leave you +here, darling. If there were <em>only</em> some +other way!”</p> + +<p>“But there isn’t. So cut along now, and +just remember that this kind of thing is my +stuff—I love it.”</p> + +<p>“Some day I’ll make it up to you—if I +ever can!”</p> + +<p>Dorothy hesitated for a moment, then +smiled. “You can do it tonight, if you want +to.”</p> + +<p>“Why—what do you mean?”</p> + +<p>“Just follow any suggestions that Mr. +Sanborn may make.”</p> + +<p>“But, what does that—you’re hiding +something from me!”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps I am.”</p> + +<p>“What is it?”</p> + +<p>“Never mind, now.”</p> + +<p>“But, Dorothy—”</p> + +<p>“No time for that, Janet. Get into that +swing arrangement with your back to the +window.”</p> + +<p>“All right, but kiss me goodbye, first.”</p> + +<p>They held each other close for a second. +Then as Janet took her place on the seat +attached to the steel cable, Dorothy +switched off the light.</p> + +<p>“I’ll—I’ll do as you ask, I mean, about +Mr. Sanborn,” whispered Janet.</p> + +<p>“Thanks, darling, I—” began Dorothy, +her hand on the window sash ready to raise +it. Then suddenly she stopped.</p> + +<p>Somebody was unlocking the door into +the hall.</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch07' class='break'>Chapter VII<br /><br />PLAYING A PART</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>Dorothy ran to the door and caught hold +of the knob. “Who’s there?” she cried.</p> + +<p>“It’s I—Martin Lawson, Janet. May I +come in?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, please, Mr. Lawson, not right +now.” There was a soft tone of pleading in +her voice. “You see, I’ve been lying down +and I’m not quite dressed.”</p> + +<p>“But I thought I heard you speaking.”</p> + +<p>“You did.” The real Janet, shivering by +the window, caught her breath and heard +Dorothy’s tone sharpen slightly. “To myself. +Being cooped up like this for hours +on end, I’m glad to hear the sound of my +own voice. I often read aloud. But I’ll +be ready shortly, if you want me.”</p> + +<p>“All right, then. I’ll be back in five +minutes. Your father is here and he wants +to say goodbye.”</p> + +<p>The key turned in the lock and with her +ear close to the panel Dorothy was sure she +could hear the faint tread of footsteps retreating +down the hall. With her heart +pumping sixty to the second, she dashed +back to Janet and carefully raised the window.</p> + +<p>“Heavens! that was a narrow squeak—” +her cousin whispered shakily. “What +nerve you’ve got! I nearly fainted—”</p> + +<p>“Never mind,” Dorothy whispered +back, “you’ve got to get out of here—and +right now!”</p> + +<p>“Oh, but I can’t, Dorothy. I’m afraid!”</p> + +<p>Dorothy gave the signal rope two savage +pulls. Almost immediately the cable began +to tighten. “Close your eyes and hang +on with both hands,” she ordered.</p> + +<p>“But Dorothy—I’ll scream—I’m going +to—I know it!”</p> + +<p>“No, you won’t!” Quickly Dorothy +clasped the frightened girl’s fingers around +the taut cable. A dive into the pocket of +Janet’s coat brought forth her own handkerchief +which she hurriedly crumpled +into a ball and thrust into her cousin’s +mouth. The seat, with Janet in it, was rising +slowly. She caught the paralyzed girl +below the knees, steadied her as the crane +drew its burden clear of the sill and pushed +her carefully into the outer darkness. +When Janet’s feet were on a level with the +upper sash, she pulled down the window +and shade and switched on the light again.</p> + +<p>“Skies above!” Her breath came in +short gasps and she leaned against the end +of the bed to steady herself. “Talk about +your thrills! That was worse than my first +solo hop, by a long shot.” She ran her fingers +through her short hair. “Let’s see—what +next? Oh, yes—I was supposed to +be lying down.”</p> + +<p>She caught up a book from the table and +tossed it open onto the bed. Then she lay +down, rumpled the coverlet, made sure that +the pillow showed the impression of her +head, and sprang up again. An adventurous +past had taught her the need of being +thorough.</p> + +<p>She went to the window and raising it, +looked out and upward. Neither Janet +nor the crane were in sight. Thankful that +her cousin was safe at last, she pulled down +the sash.</p> + +<p>Two or three minutes later, when the +door was unlocked, the two men who entered +surprised her in the business of packing +the contents of the top bureau drawer +into Janet’s wardrobe trunk.</p> + +<p>And now came as pretty a piece of acting +as has ever been seen upon the stage; +acting that Dorothy’s audience of two must +not realize was acting, and furthermore, +one of these men was the father of the girl +she impersonated. Why hadn’t she remembered +to ask Janet what she called that +mysterious father of hers? Father, Papa, +Dad, Daddy—which should she use? A +mistake now would be fatal. Even her +uncle must not become aware of her real +identity. There was no time for hesitating. +He was speaking now.</p> + +<p>“Janet, my dear—” he began.</p> + +<p>Dorothy ran to her uncle and throwing +her arms about his neck, buried her head +on his shoulder. “How could you leave me +like this?” she wailed. “Why do you let +these people keep me locked in my room? +And now they are going to take me away!” +Her voice grew louder, almost hysterical. +She sobbed pathetically and clutched him +a little tighter.</p> + +<p>“My dear child—you mustn’t cry this +way—you really mustn’t!” Mr. Jordan +patted her back in the silly way men do +when they want to be comforting. “Mr. +Lawson and his wife will look after you in +the country, while your Daddy is away.”</p> + +<p>She released the embarrassed man, and +pulling a handkerchief from his breast +pocket, dabbed her eyes with the cambric +until she felt certain they looked bloodshot +enough to pass inspection. “But I don’t +<em>want</em> to go, Daddy. Please don’t let them +take me,” she begged, her voice trembling +as though she was using all her will power +to gain self control. “If you can’t take me +with you, why can’t I go back to school?”</p> + +<p>“But that’s impossible, Janet. You are +going to be Mrs. Lawson’s secretary. +Don’t be foolish. All arrangements have +been made.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I’m eighteen,” said Dorothy with +a show of temper. “My mother was a year +younger than that when she ran away and +married you. I am no longer a child. I +don’t like being packed off like—like a bag +of potatoes.”</p> + +<p>“Are there any other reasons why you +don’t want to come to Ridgefield with me?” +Mr. Lawson spoke for the first time. His +words fairly dripped with suspicion.</p> + +<p>“Yes, there are.” Dorothy turned on +him angrily. “Daddy goes off on a trip, +and for reasons which appear to be a secret, +you keep me locked in my room for more +than a week, Mr. Lawson. And you seem +to wonder why I resent it.”</p> + +<p>“But you have been ill, my dear Janet.”</p> + +<p>“If I’m so ill, why has no doctor been to +see me?” Her voice was full of scorn.</p> + +<p>“I have been keeping you under observation +myself.”</p> + +<p>“Quite possibly. I’ve been allowed to +see nobody except that maid who acts as if +she were deaf and dumb. If you are trying +to tell me that I’m mentally deranged, I +won’t stand for it! The mere fact that you +now propose that I act as your wife’s +secretary proves that you consider me +capable. What right have you to keep me +a prisoner in my own home? Who are +you, Mr. Martin Lawson, to take upon +yourself the regulating of my life?” +Dorothy burst into angry tears.</p> + +<p>“But my <em>dear</em> child—” protested Mr. +Jordan. “I’ve never seen you behave like +this—”</p> + +<p>“No! And up to now,” she stormed, her +eyes flashing, “you’ve never given me +cause. In the first place I’m no longer a +child—you forget that—and then—what +kind of a life did you give me as a child? +You are my father and you say that you +love me, but can you expect deep affection +from a daughter whom you ship to boarding +school at five? You wouldn’t even let +me visit friends during the holidays. For +years at a time you never took the trouble +to come and see me. How can you expect +love and obedience after years of neglect?” +She drew a sobbing breath, then went on: +“For a while we traveled—you were nice +to me—I enjoyed it. We settled down here. +I forgave what you’d done to my childhood. +I tried to make this flat a home for you, +even though I was kept like a cloistered +nun and you allowed me no friends. But +this is going too far.”</p> + +<p>“And what, may I ask, are you going to +do about it?” inquired Lawson with a disagreeable +smile.</p> + +<p>“What can a defenseless girl without +friends do to stop two big bullies? I shall +go with you, Mr. Lawson, because I can’t +help myself. But don’t expect me to like +being used as a slave, even though I may be +of some comfort to that long-suffering wife +of yours. Oh, that makes you angry, does +it? Well, let me tell you, that you are not +half as angry as I am. You can practice +your strong-arm methods on defenseless +women and get away with it—some day +you’ll try it on a man—and by the time he +gets through thrashing you there won’t be +enough left for the boneyard.” She flashed +a smile of contempt on the furious man, +and turned to Mr. Jordan who was speaking +again.</p> + +<p>“What has come over you, Janet?” he +was saying. “I’ve never heard you speak +so rudely to anyone before. You’ve always +been such a quiet little mouse—”</p> + +<p>“And you’ve taken advantage of it,” she +interrupted. “What you forget is that even +a mouse will turn and fight when it’s cornered. +If you really loved me—if you had +a spark of manhood in your selfish body, +you’d thrash this man to within an inch of +his life and throw him into the street. Get +out of here—both of you!” she cried hysterically. +“And please—no more silly +arguments—I don’t want to be forced to +say before outsiders what a contemptible +person my father is proving himself to be.”</p> + +<p>This last tirade seemed to stun Mr. Jordan. +From the almost agonized expression +on his face, she saw that at last conscience +was at work. The man was utterly +miserable. He could not hide it.</p> + +<p>“Will you—will you be ready to leave in +half an hour, Janet?” His voice was a +mere whisper and shook with suppressed +feeling.</p> + +<p>“Yes, I’ll be ready. Go now, please—both +of you!” She turned her back on +them and walking over to the window, she +threw up the shade and the sash. As she +stood there staring into the night, she heard +them leave the room.</p> + +<p>This time the door shut without being +locked. Dorothy streaked across the floor +and pressed her ear to the keyhole. Just +outside the men were talking.</p> + +<p>“You’re a fool, Lawson, if you still think +that Janet wasn’t asleep during the meeting,” +she heard her uncle say. “Tonight +proves it. And let me tell you this. From +now on, my business and my home shall be +kept separate and distinct. Never again +will I allow myself to be placed in a position +to be dressed down by my own daughter. +There was no comeback either. +Every word she said was gospel truth. +It’s a terrible thing when a daughter makes +her father realize what a low, cowardly +creature he is at heart. Well, how about +it? Aren’t you now convinced of her innocence?”</p> + +<p>“I am.” Lawson clipped off the words, +and as he went on speaking, there was insolence +as well as a hint of nervousness in +his tone. “But when it comes to giving me +a thrashing, Number 5—well, I shouldn’t +try it if I were you—not if you value your—er—health!”</p> + +<p>“Stop talking like a fool!” retorted +Janet’s father. “Is the girl to be sent to +Ridgefield or not?”</p> + +<p>“Now you’re talking rot, yourself,” +snapped Lawson. “You know quite as +well as I do that Laura won’t take our word +for it. She told me this morning that any +clever woman or girl for that matter, could +twist a man around her finger without half +trying. Laura wants to study your daughter +herself—and that’s all there is to it.”</p> + +<p>“I hope Mrs. Lawson has a pleasant time +of it.” Mr. Jordan said sarcastically. “But +I’m afraid my hope will not be granted.”</p> + +<p>“Laura,” answered that lady’s husband, +“can be rather disagreeable herself when +she’s roused. Let us hope for Janet’s sake, +that she doesn’t try her tantrums on my +wife. By the way, what are you doing +now?”</p> + +<p>“Getting away just as fast as I can, thank +you. No more scenes for me, tonight. I +wouldn’t meet Janet on her way out of here +for a million dollars!”</p> + +<p>They moved further along the hall and +Dorothy went slowly back to the window. +Across the narrow court, two flights up, +the shaded windows of Howard Bright’s +flat shone a dull golden yellow in the black +wall. For several minutes she stood watching +the windows, her thoughts upon what +she had done and what she had just heard.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, shadows appeared on one of +the yellow rectangles. The shade was +raised and framed in the window were +Janet and Howard. Just behind them +stood a stranger who wore the round, conventional +collar of a clergyman. The +young couple were smiling happily. Both +waved, and Janet held up her left hand.</p> + +<p>Dorothy knew the significance of that +gesture, and threw them a kiss. Then she +saw the shade roll down, and she turned +away.</p> + +<p>“And so they were married and lived +happily ever after.” She sighed. “Uncle +Sanborn kept his promise, like the fine old +sport he is.”</p> + +<p>She stuffed the last of Janet’s belongings +into the trunk, slammed it shut and +locked it.</p> + +<p>“Now for the dirty work—and Laura +Lawson.” She smiled grimly and went to +the closet for Janet’s hat and coat.</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch08' class='break'>Chapter VIII<br /><br />“WALK INTO MY PARLOR”</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>The sedan, with Martin Lawson driving +and Dorothy beside him, purred smoothly +through the dank, cold night. Now that +they were past the realm of traffic lights, it +lopped off the miles between them and +Ridgefield with the regularity of an electric +saw cutting planks from a log.</p> + +<p>During the entire journey, now nearly +over, Dorothy had spoken no word to the +man beside her. She wanted him to believe +that she was still furiously angry. As +a matter of fact, she had felt antagonistic +toward him from the first moment she laid +eyes upon him; his smug overgrooming, +the highly polished fingernails, the small +waxed moustache and too immaculate +clothing, all repelled her. She knew at +once what it had taken Janet some time to +realize: Martin Lawson might be and +probably was a very clever man; he was, on +the other hand, a man to be wary of. His +manner was just a little too complacent, +too smooth. Notwithstanding the forewarning +she had received regarding his +character, Dorothy knew instinctively that +he was not genuine and not a trustworthy +person in any respect. She detested him +thoroughly.</p> + +<p>He was a careful driver, she gave him +credit for that. They found little traffic to +impede their progress along the Boston +Post Road, once the long tentacles of the +great city were left behind. But the black +swath of highway leading out and on from +their moisture-coated headlights glistened +wetly in their reflection. After they turned +into the hills behind Stamford, heading for +the Connecticut Ridge Country, the road +for a mile or more at a stretch was covered +with wet leaves. They crawled along at +a snail’s pace to prevent skidding and a +crash into the New England stone fences +that rambled along the roadside dividing +woodland from the rolling meadows.</p> + +<p>Just beyond New Canaan, they drove +past Dorothy’s home and Bill Bolton’s, for +the properties faced each other across the +ridge road. Before they reached Vista it +was raining dismally, and Lawson had the +windshield wiper going. Dorothy was +thankful that the sixty-mile journey from +New York was nearly over. At last they +reached the outskirts of Ridgefield, and the +car swung into a driveway between high +pillars of native stonework. In the glow +from the electric globes on the gate posts, +the blue stone driveway curved and twisted +like a huge snake, winding through landscaped +lawns and gardens as formal and +precise as a public park.</p> + +<p>It was raining harder now, and Dorothy +could see nothing beyond the path of their +headlights. Although she had never been +in the grounds before, she had driven past +the Winn place numbers of times. Finally, +she made out the bulk of a great stone +house. Martin Lawson stopped the car +beneath a porte-cochere. They had arrived.</p> + +<p>Massive doors of wrought iron and glass +swung open. A butler and two footmen +in livery ran down the steps. The butler, +a tall, important-looking individual, +snapped open the car door.</p> + +<p>“Good evening, Mr. Lawson,” he said. +“Good evening, Miss.”</p> + +<p>The voice with its high-pitched Oxford +drawl still smacked of Whitechapel. Dorothy, +who had travelled in England, was +sure that under stress, the cockney in this +personage would come out. She knew he +was careful of his aitches.</p> + +<p>“Good evening, Tunbridge,” Lawson +returned briskly, and Dorothy smiled +pleasantly. “Is Mrs. Lawson still up?”</p> + +<p>“Madam is awaiting you in the library, +sir.” Tunbridge helped Dorothy to alight +and handed Janet’s overnight bag to a footman. +“Jones,” he said to the other flunky, +as Lawson stepped out of the car, “drive +round to the service entrance. Miss Jordan’s +box is in the back of the car. See that +it is taken up to the Pink Bedroom and have +Hanley garage the motor-car.”</p> + +<p>“Very good, sir,” returned the man, and +he got into the automobile.</p> + +<p>Tunbridge ushered them up the broad +stone steps. Dorothy caught a last glimpse +of a leafless, dripping hedge across the +drive, and the giant skeleton arms of a tree +that seemed to menace earth and sky; then +she entered the house, wondering what the +next act of this strange drama would bring +forth.</p> + +<p>She found herself in an enormous hall, +furnished with objects such as she had +never seen outside a museum. Elaborately +carved oak, suits of armor, stone urns, +portraits, a wide stone staircase mounting +upward to surrounding galleries, stained +glass windows, tigers’ and lions’ heads, antlers +of tremendous size, strange and beautiful +weapons, all ranged in confusion +before her eyes and suggested a baronial +castle rather than the home of an American +scientist, in the Connecticut hills.</p> + +<p>Tunbridge led to a door on the right, +where he knocked, then opened, as a +muffled “Come in” was heard.</p> + +<p>“Miss Jordan and Mr. Lawson, +Madam,” announced the butler, and he +stood aside to let them pass.</p> + +<p>Dorothy walked into a room whose walls +seemed built of books. The furniture was +richly attractive and looked luxuriously +comfortable. A fire blazed in a fine chimney +and a table near it was set with a glitter +of splendid silver and hot water plates below +shining metal covers.</p> + +<p>A tall, superbly beautiful woman, with +dark eyes and coal-black hair that grew in a +widow’s peak on her brow, rose from a +chair on the wide hearth and came toward +them. Her clear, white skin, and a broad +streak of silver across the black hair gave +her a strangely ethereal appearance, as +though she might have been a being from +another planet. The hand she held out to +Dorothy was exquisitely formed, the fingers +long and tapering.</p> + +<p>“How do you do, Janet,” she said +pleasantly. “Welcome to Winncote. You +are later than we expected. The Doctor has +gone to bed, but he left his greetings.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you,” Dorothy returned formally +and shook hands. “You are very +kind, Mrs. Lawson.”</p> + +<p>Laura Lawson gave her a smile, but the +girl saw that it was a smile of the lips alone, +her dark eyes remained somber. “Did you +have a breakdown?” she asked her husband, +taking notice of him for the first +time.</p> + +<p>“Slippery roads—it was impossible to +do much more than crawl, Laura.” He +lifted a dish cover on the table and inspected +its contents. “Glad you thought +to order supper—I’m famished.”</p> + +<p>“So am I,” admitted his wife and her +words seemed to carry a double meaning. +“It’s long after three. Come over here by +the fire and get warm, Janet. Now Tunbridge—if +you’ll please serve us?”</p> + +<p>Tunbridge seated them at the supper +table and uncovered the dishes.</p> + +<p>“Just a light meal,” announced the hostess, +“scrambled eggs, toast and cocoa, but +it will warm you up and help you last until +breakfast.”</p> + +<p>“It looks delicious!” said Dorothy, who +discovered at the sight of food that she was +starving. In fact all three were hungry, +and for some little time conversation was +dropped while the soft-footed Tunbridge +waited upon them.</p> + +<p>“We will have a chat tomorrow, Janet,” +Mrs. Lawson said presently. “Tonight you +are tired and so am I. We take breakfast +in our rooms. Ring for it when you’re +ready, but don’t hurry about getting up, +I’ll see you down here about eleven-thirty. +Have you had enough to eat and drink, my +dear?”</p> + +<p>“Plenty, thank you, Mrs. Lawson.” +Dorothy thought it would be just as well if +she played the demure mouse until she had +a chance to size up her employer.</p> + +<p>“Then I think we’ll go upstairs, Janet, +and I’ll show you your room.” She looked +at her husband. “You’ll be coming up +soon, Martin?”</p> + +<p>“Just as soon as I finish this pipe, and get +a bit warmer.”</p> + +<p>“I think,” said Mrs. Lawson, “that both +you and Janet had better take a hot lemonade +before you go to bed. I don’t want to +have you both laid up with colds tomorrow.” +She smiled solicitously at the girl.</p> + +<p>“I hate the filthy stuff,” protested her husband.</p> + +<p>“Don’t be ridiculous,” she answered +coldly and turned to the butler. “Tunbridge, +have hot lemonades sent to Miss +Jordan and Mr. Lawson in about twenty +minutes, if you please.”</p> + +<p>“Very good, madam.”</p> + +<p>Laura Lawson slipped her arm through +Dorothy’s. “Don’t be long, Martin.”</p> + +<p>“I won’t. Good night, Janet.”</p> + +<p>“Good night, Mr. Lawson.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lawson seemed lost in thought as +they slowly mounted the stone stairs. Suddenly +she began chattily: “Men are such +stupid creatures, Janet. So stupid about +taking medicine or anything else that may +be good for them. Martin and that hot +lemonade is a case in point. I hope that +you haven’t any foolish ideas like that?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, no, indeed. I’m rather fond of it.”</p> + +<p>“That’s fine. Now promise me you’ll +get into bed and drink it just as hot as possible. +There’s nothing better to ward off +a cold, and you’ll sleep like a top into the +bargain. Well, here’s your room, my dear. +It’s late, so I won’t come in, but I think +you’ll find all you need to make you comfortable. +If you want anything, ring. +Good night, Janet. Sleep well.”</p> + +<p>“I’m sure I will, Mrs. Lawson. Good +night.”</p> + +<p>The older woman passed along the gallery +and Dorothy entered her bedroom. It +was a good-sized room, attractively furnished +with everywhere evidence of a +woman’s taste. Pink-shaded electric candles +gleamed from the walls papered in +cream and scattered with tiny pink rosebuds. +The small grey-painted bed displayed +pink pillow cases, sheets and blankets. +A dainty writing desk in one corner +of the room was also painted grey as was +the chaise longue and the chairs, where the +upholstery carried out the note of pink. A +soft grey rug, pink-bordered, covered the +floor, and Dorothy’s feet sank into its thick, +warm pile as she investigated her new +quarters. She saw that the room was nearly +square, and opposite the door a rounded +alcove sheltered a bow window, hung with +pink taffeta, and the window seat below it +was cushioned in pink.</p> + +<p>In a corner against the wall stood Janet’s +wardrobe trunk, and near it was a door that +led into a spacious closet. Dorothy hung +her coat on a padded hanger, and then +looked into the rose and onyx tiled bath.</p> + +<p>As she re-entered the bedroom she +stopped short in surprise. A small piece of +white paper protruded from beneath the +door to the gallery. Quickly she stooped, +snatched the paper and opened the door. +The gallery was empty. Crossing to the +balustrade she looked down upon the great +entrance hall. That also was deserted and +nobody was to be seen on the staircase.</p> + +<p>She turned back, closed and locked her +door. Then she spread out the paper she +had crumpled in her hand. Printed on one +side in pencil she read the words:</p> + +<p>“BE ON YOUR GUARD. DO NOT +DRINK THE LEMONADE. DESTROY +THIS AT ONCE.”</p> + +<p>“Now I wonder...” Dorothy muttered +softly, “who sent me this note?”</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch09' class='break'>Chapter IX<br /><br />IN THE NIGHT</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>Dorothy turned over the piece of paper +to find as she expected that the other side +was blank. No signature. Nothing but the +double warning, and the admonition to destroy +the missive and to do so at once. Evidently +the writer either believed or knew +for certain that she would shortly be disturbed. +There was no fireplace in the bedroom. +Even though she tore the note into +bits, some of the scraps might be found and +pieced together should she throw them out +the window; and her room might be +searched at any time. How could she make +way with it? For a moment or two Dorothy +was at a loss. Mechanically her fingers +tore the paper into fine shreds.</p> + +<p>Then she smiled. “I guess we’ll let the +plumbing take care of you,” she said, gazing +down on the little pile of paper on her +palm, and she disappeared into the bathroom.</p> + +<p>When she returned, Dorothy opened +Janet’s over-night bag, took out a pair of +green silk pajamas, bedroom slippers and +toilet accessories, among which was a new +toothbrush in a case. This, and the underwear +she had on were the only belongings +of her own that she had retained.</p> + +<p>From Janet’s purse, she extracted the +trunk key. After some rummaging in that +large travelling wardrobe, she found a +quilted bathrobe of pale pink satin on a +hanger toward the back. It was too late to +unpack entirely, and she was about to close +and relock the trunk, when she decided to +leave it open. The Janet Jordan she was +portraying had never waked up at the +famous meeting of last week. That Janet +would feel outraged at her imprisonment, +her father’s seeming callousness and would +naturally be furious at being packed up +here willy-nilly: but she would have no +cause to be suspicious of these people in +this big stone house. If she had locked the +trunk—Dorothy realized she had almost +made a mistake, although a minor one—and +in her present position mistakes were +dangerous affairs.</p> + +<p>Although it was very late and the day had +been a strenuous one Dorothy did not feel +tired. While she undressed, she went over +in her mind the new vistas opened up by +this mysterious note she had just destroyed. +As she dissected it word by word from +memory, she was astonished to find that the +scrap of paper carried much interesting information +between the lines.</p> + +<p>Undoubtedly, Ashton Sanborn had +planted a member of his organization in +the house, but how that had been possible, +she could not imagine. First of all, there +was the warning to be on her guard. That +Mrs. Lawson was indicated she had no +doubt. Her hostess, while seeming most +charming and courteous, had nevertheless +suggested the hot lemonade which the note +told her not to drink. It was quite likely +that her unknown adviser had reason to +think that the lemonade would be drugged. +And then these people could hardly mean +to poison her so soon after her arrival. For +their whole idea in bringing her to Winncote, +as she understood it, was to make sure +whether the real Janet had heard their secrets +or not. No—they merely wanted her +to sleep soundly. But why?</p> + +<p>Dorothy pondered on this for several +minutes. There could be only one reason, +she decided. Somebody was planning to +enter her bedroom tonight, and wished to +do so without her knowledge. What their +purpose might be she could not guess and +she did not bother about it. To a girl of a +nervous temperament, such as Janet Jordan, +the knowledge that such a visit was +planned and success arranged for by means +of a drug, would have been torture. But +Dorothy, who could feel “Flash” in his +holster just above her knee was merely +worried for fear that lemonade or no +lemonade she would fall asleep. The arrival +here had been uneventful enough +after what had happened at the Jordans’ +apartment. At least, to all outward appearances it had been smooth sailing. She was +beginning to realize that nothing with +these people was what it seemed to be. She +had climbed her Vesuvius and was standing +at the crater’s edge. Already the first +rumblings of the eruption had been heard.</p> + +<p>Her position, though seemingly secure, +was nothing of the kind. The sooner Ashton +Sanborn gave her the orders he had +promised, and she could carry them out and +get away from this place, the better for +Dorothy Dixon. And yet she could not +help a feeling of exhilaration.</p> + +<p>There came a gentle knock on her door. +Wearing her quilted wrapper and slippers +she turned the key and opened to—the imposing +Tunbridge. He bore a small tray +on which stood a steaming tumbler, a bowl +of sugar, two spoons and a napkin. “Your +hot lemonade, Miss Jordan,” he announced +in his pompous voice and rather as though +he were offering her a priceless gift. “Mrs. +Lawson’s instructions are to drink it after +you get in bed, Miss. May I mention also +that it is very hot?”</p> + +<p>Dorothy took the tray. “Thank you, +Tunbridge, I’ll be careful. Good night!”</p> + +<p>“Good night, Miss.”</p> + +<p>The butler departed in the direction of +the stairway, and Dorothy closed the door +and locked it again.</p> + +<p>She set the tray on a chair beside her bed +and put two spoonfuls of sugar into the tall +glass. It was too hot for anyone to drink +yet, so she went into the bathroom to get +ready for bed.</p> + +<p>Five minutes later she switched off all +the lights except the one on the head board. +Then she got into bed, picked up the glass +and stirred her lemonade, making sure that +the spoon tinkled against the glass. If anyone +was listening outside her door they +would naturally think she was drinking the +stuff.</p> + +<p>After waiting a moment or two longer, +she set the glass down on the tray with a +thump that might have been heard on the +gallery. But the glass remained in her +hand. Off went her light now, and still +holding the lemonade she got quickly and +quietly out of bed. A silent trip to the bathroom +in the dark and she emptied the +lemonade into her washbowl. Then she +came back and placed the empty glass on +the tray. She hurried over to the bow window, +opened a sash, turned off the heat in +the radiator and crawled into bed again.</p> + +<p>The bed was to the left of the door as +one entered the room. By lying on her +right side Dorothy held the entire room +within her view. After the soft glare from +the shaded electric lights, it seemed inky +black, but soon her eyes grew accustomed +to the gloom. In the wall just beyond the +foot of the bed was the closed door of her +closet. The trunk stood beyond that in the +corner. The alcove and window seat took +up a large section of the farther wall and +in the corner, diagonally across from +where she lay was a dark spot—the writing +desk. Opposite her bed was the half open +door to the bathroom. The dressing table, +the door to the hall but a few feet from her +head—mentally she had completed her +tour of the room.</p> + +<p>Then for a long while, or so it seemed +to the excited girl, she lay there waiting. +Of course her door was locked, but the affair +of the Winged Cartwheels a few +months before had taught Dorothy that +keys may be turned from the outside with +a pair of small pincers. Her mind now set +itself on the key in the door. In vain she +listened for the warning click that would +come when it turned in the lock. Now that +she was lying in bed she began to discover +how tired she was. It became harder and +harder to stay awake.</p> + +<p>She knew that she must have dozed, for +without warning a light appeared, a golden +circle on the center of the rug. Instantly +she was wide awake and her hand beneath +the blankets drew her throwing knife from +its sheath. Through half-closed eyelids +she made out a dark figure holding a flash +light pointed toward the floor.</p> + +<p>Then the glowing circle moved to the +empty glass beside her bed, and Dorothy +closed her eyes. For a moment it rested +upon her face and she heard a low chuckle. +Dorothy knew that voice. Her visitor was +Laura Lawson.</p> + +<p>The light swept away from her face. +Mrs. Lawson touched the wall switch by +the door and the bedroom sprang into light. +The drug in the lemonade must have been +a strong one, for it was evident that the intruder +had no fear of her awakening. Without +wasting another glance on Dorothy, +Laura Lawson went to the wardrobe trunk +and commenced a detailed inspection of +its contents.</p> + +<p>The woman’s back was turned, so Dorothy +had no difficulty in watching her movements. +Everything in the trunk was taken +out, glanced at and put back exactly as it +had been. This took some time, and it was +fully half an hour before her hostess finished +with the trunk. Next she overhauled +the small travelling bag and the purse. +Then the empty drawers of the dressing +table and desk came under the woman’s +eye. The pillows and cushions of the window +seat were lifted. The rug was turned +back. Every nook and cranny of the room +and closet came under observation. Then +she went into the bathroom.</p> + +<p>“What under the shining canopy can she +be looking for?” Dorothy marveled. “It +can’t be the note I got tonight. She proposed +the lemonade before that could have +been written. I wonder if she’ll search the +bed? She mustn’t find Flash—”</p> + +<p>When Laura Lawson returned to the +bedroom, she saw that the sleeper had +turned over and was now facing the wall. +For a moment she gazed down on the girl, +then her hand crept under the pillow. +Finding nothing there, the covers were +pulled back to the foot of the bed.</p> + +<p>Dorothy felt the cold breeze from the +open window blowing on her pajamaed +body, but she did not move. Presently +sheet, blankets and silk comfort were replaced +and the woman left the bedside. +Dorothy chuckled inwardly. Flash was +still safe. She was lying on him.</p> + +<p>Off went the light. Dorothy knew that +Mrs. Lawson’s slippered feet would make +no sound on the thick pile of the rug. She +waited to hear the door open and close, +but heard nothing. With her face to the +wall, she could see nothing. The strain of +lying motionless became nerve wracking. +What was the woman doing anyhow? +Slowly she rolled over again. So far as she +could tell, the room was empty.</p> + +<p>For what seemed an age Dorothy lay, +listening. Except for the wind sighing +through the bare trees outside her window, +there was no other sound. She felt nervous +and unpleasantly excited. She must know +if the door had been left unlocked. Slipping +out of bed she tiptoed across to it and +tried the handle. The door did not give.</p> + +<p>Suddenly she froze against the panels. +A dim glow appeared on the opposite wall +as the closet door swung slowly back, and +outlined in the opening was the tall figure +of Tunbridge.</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch10' class='break'>Chapter X<br /><br />SURPRISES</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>Dorothy’s experiences, since she had +shopped for neckties for her father that +morning had been quite enough to lay up +the average girl for a week, and to wreck +her nerves into the bargain. Laura Lawson’s +appearance in her bedroom had +strained tightened nerves to the breaking +point.</p> + +<p>The arrival of this second intruder was +just too much. As the butler stepped out +of the closet and started to close the door, +Dorothy’s self-control snapped like a rubber +band. She forgot that she was playing +a part; that it might be suicidal to show her +hand so early in the game. Fear gripped +her throat. Had this man been sent to kill +her? If not, then what was he doing, stealing +into her room through a secret entrance +like an assassin of the middle ages? Self-preservation bade her act. The consequences +could take care of themselves.</p> + +<p>“Stop!” The harsh whisper, as her hand +dove for Flash, sounded like the voice of a +stranger. “Move another step, and I’ll pin +you to that door!” Flash was in her raised +hand now, the extended blade reflecting the +light in the closet as though the polished +steel were glass.</p> + +<p>She saw the man start in surprise and +turn his head in her direction. As she was +about to hurl the knife, Tunbridge found +his voice.</p> + +<p>“Ashton Sanborn sent me, Miss Dixon. +Please don’t throw that knife.”</p> + +<p>Gone was the English accent, and the +pompous intonation of the British man +servant. Tunbridge, if that were really his +name, spoke the American Dorothy was accustomed +to hear, the accents of the cultured +New Englander. For the second +time in her life, Dorothy fainted.</p> + +<p>She awoke to find herself in bed. Tunbridge +was beside it. She could just make +out his tall, powerful figure in the darkness.</p> + +<p>“Goodness—did I faint?” she said +weakly.</p> + +<p>“You certainly did, Miss Dixon.” His +tone was little above a whisper. “Please +don’t raise your voice—and drink this. I +found the aromatic spirits of ammonia in +the bathroom. You need something to +steady you. No one is cast iron—you’ve +been through a frightful lot today.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy took the glass and drained it. +Then she lay back on her pillow. “I +got the scare of my life just now. Why +didn’t Ashton Sanborn tell me about +you, Mr.—”</p> + +<p>“Tunbridge is really my name, Miss +Dixon. John Tunbridge, and very much +at your service. I was afraid my rather +abrupt appearance would startle you, and +especially coming so soon after Mrs. Lawson’s—er—visit. +I got a shock myself +when I saw your white figure by the door +just now, and all ready to split me with that +knife, like—like a macaroon.” He +chuckled, and removing the tray, sat down +on the chair beside her bed.</p> + +<p>“Oh, then you’ve seen Ashton Sanborn +this evening, Mr. Tunbridge?”</p> + +<p>“Heard from him, Miss Dixon. As you +must know by now, I am a secret service +operative and I am working under Mr. +Sanborn. There isn’t time to go into detail +now, but a couple of months ago, our department +received an anonymous letter +saying that Doctor Winn would bear +watching. Shortly before that the Doctor +had engaged Mrs. Lawson, who is an expert +chemist by the way, to take charge of +his laboratory. Her husband has been Doctor +Winn’s secretary since last spring. We +thought at that time that Mrs. Lawson +might be the mysterious letter writer. +Since then we’ve altered our opinion. Mr. +Sanborn decided that inasmuch as Doctor +Winn was working for the government it +would be well to have a secret service man +in the house. We prevailed upon the butler +here to resign and I took his place.”</p> + +<p>“Then Doctor Winn knows you’re a +government detective?”</p> + +<p>“No one in this house knows that, except +you, Miss Dixon. The whole matter was +arranged through an employment agency. +Doctor Winn and the others here have no +idea that I, like you, am simply playing a +part.”</p> + +<p>“Well, you’re certainly a splendid actor, +Mr. Tunbridge.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you, Miss Dixon. As you’ve no +doubt discovered, acting, convincing acting, +often plays a large part in our profession. +You are doing brilliantly in that +respect yourself. Mr. Sanborn thought, +however, that it would be better if you did +not know about me until the necessity +arose. Mrs. Lawson, he knew would be +watching you like a hawk when you arrived. +If you had been aware of my identity, +your position would only have been +more difficult. She might have had her +suspicions aroused in some way, which +would have given you a wrong start from +the beginning. I think you will realize tomorrow +how hard it will be to treat me as +though I were merely Tunbridge the +butler.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I think you’re right. Tell me, how +did you find out about the lemonade?”</p> + +<p>“I overheard the Lawsons talking, yesterday. +Made it my business in fact. It +seems that Mrs. Lawson has had the idea +that if Janet Jordan was only shamming +sleep at that meeting, she would do her best +to communicate with her father in some +way. The natural thing to do would be to +write a note and slip it in his hand or his +pocket, when he came to see her. Martin +Lawson was sure he would detect anything +of the kind when he brought Jordan to say +goodbye to Janet tonight at the flat. If not, +the plan was to drug the girl with hot +lemonade so that Mrs. Lawson could +search her belongings for the note tonight.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy nodded. “I watched her closely +while she was in here, and so far as I could +make out she didn’t find anything that interested +her particularly. The Lawsons +must have guessed wrong about Janet +writing her father.”</p> + +<p>“Well, no, they didn’t,” declared her new +ally. “Janet wrote a letter, just as they surmised.”</p> + +<p>“But where could it be?” asked Dorothy +in a startled whisper, and sat bold upright +in bed.</p> + +<p>“Probably destroyed by this time,” Mr. +Tunbridge chuckled. “There’s no need +to worry on that score, Miss Dixon. +When Ashton Sanborn spoke to your +cousin this afternoon by means of Howard +Bright’s headphone set, he learned that +Janet proposed doing just what this clever +pair here figured upon. Of course she had +already written the note, and as there was +no safe way to get rid of it in her room, he +told her to take it with her when she left. +And now if you’ll be good enough, I wish +you’d tell me what happened after you took +her place in the flat.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy gave him a short sketch of her +encounter with her uncle and Martin Lawson +in Janet’s room, and of the conversation +between the two men in the corridor +afterward. “All the way up here,” she +ended, “I pretended I had a grouch. Mr. +Lawson tried to start a conversation several +times, but he soon found it wasn’t much fun +talking to himself and he gave it up as a bad +job.”</p> + +<p>“Excellent,” applauded the secret service +man, “and quite in keeping with your +behavior in the flat. You have done most +remarkably well, Miss Dixon. Only—you +won’t mind if I warn you not to let first +success make you careless.”</p> + +<p>“Do you really believe that these people +mean to do away with me if they discover +I am not what I appear to be, Mr. Tunbridge? +It sounds a bit too melodramatic, +don’t you think?”</p> + +<p>“These Lawsons, husband and wife, are +playing for gigantic stakes.” The detective’s +voice, though barely audible was extremely +grave. “They will stop at nothing. +When crooks have at least two murders behind +them, they’re not likely to stop at a +third.”</p> + +<p>“Then—then they are <em>not</em> what they pretend?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly not. They’re a pair of high +class European crooks named du Val.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy shuddered. “And <em>murderers</em>!”</p> + +<p>“Undoubtedly. They’re wanted both in +England and in Austria for their crimes.”</p> + +<p>“How did you find that out?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, you see I recognized them when I +arrived here, Miss Dixon.”</p> + +<p>“But—but I can’t see why—why you +didn’t arrest them then and there! You +knew that they were after the secret of +Doctor Winn’s new explosive, or whatever +it is he has invented.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, we realized that the formula for +Doctor Winn’s explosive gas was the magnet +that drew the du Vals to this house; but +until today we had no idea how they proposed +to dispose of the formula after stealing +it.”</p> + +<p>“I see. And now you realize that they +probably intend to sell it to the organization +of which my uncle is a member?”</p> + +<p>“You are right, Miss Dixon.”</p> + +<p>“Then why can’t you arrest the Lawsons +now?”</p> + +<p>“We can take the Lawsons at any time,” +Tunbridge explained. “But we want to +catch the ringleader of this organization. +We know the group exists and for no good +purpose, but what their definite object may +be we still have no means of telling. We +can’t arrest them on suspicion alone. Once +they actually buy the formula from the +Lawsons, it will be quite a different matter.”</p> + +<p>She shook her head slowly. “But why +hasn’t the formula been stolen before this? +They’ve had plenty of opportunity, +surely—”</p> + +<p>“Because it is not completed. At dinner +tonight I heard the Doctor say that by tomorrow +afternoon the work would be finished, +and that he expected to take the +formula to Washington the day after tomorrow.”</p> + +<p>“Then you expect?—”</p> + +<p>“I expect that the Lawsons will make +their attempt tomorrow night.”</p> + +<p>“And where do I come in on this business, +Mr. Tunbridge?”</p> + +<p>“You are going to take the plans from +Doctor Winn’s safe before the Lawsons +get to it.”</p> + +<p>She drew her breath sharply. “That’s a +pretty large order—”</p> + +<p>“I know it, but—of course you’ll have +the combination of the safe—”</p> + +<p>“Are you going to give it to me now?”</p> + +<p>“Too dangerous. They are quite capable +of searching your belongings again—or +your person, for that matter—at any +time. I’ll get it to you with exact instructions +just as soon as the Doctor completes +that blooming formula and locks it in the +safe.”</p> + +<p>“That’s all very well, Mr. Tunbridge. +But has it occurred to you that if I steal this +paper—I suppose it will be a paper?—”</p> + +<p>“Probably several of them—”</p> + +<p>“Well, if I take these papers before the +Lawsons can get them, how are you going +to arrest my uncle and the other men?”</p> + +<p>“You,” directed Tunbridge, “will +simply make a copy and replace the original +documents where you found them. +This is a safety-first move. We must have +a copy in case the originals are destroyed.”</p> + +<p>“It looks like a very complicated matter +to me,” Dorothy admitted candidly. “Why +not put the old gentleman wise? After +all, it’s his formula, and if he made his +own copy it would save us a possible run-in +with the Lawsons, and—”</p> + +<p>Mr. Tunbridge stood up. “Perhaps +you’re right,” he said, making a brave attempt +to stifle a yawn, “but Doctor Winn +would never agree to it. For a scientist +who dabbles in high explosives, he’s the +most nervous man I’ve ever met. He’d +give the whole show away. No, that’s out +of the question. Doctor Winn must be +kept in ignorance of the whole proceeding. +And now—” a yawn got the better of him +this time— “and now to bed. You need +sleep even more than advice just now. +Good night, or rather, good morning, Miss +Dixon. Pleasant dreams, I hope.”</p> + +<p>He started toward the door and Dorothy +sprang out of bed and reached for her +dressing gown.</p> + +<p>“I want to see that secret passage, Mr. +Tunbridge,” she said in a low tone.</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes, come along.” He opened the +door and stepped inside the closet. “It +works this way. Press your foot on the +board in the farthest right hand corner, +like this, and a panel in the back wall slides +up—like that—”</p> + +<p>Dorothy stared at the gaping black hole, +then as the detective-butler snapped on his +flashlight she saw that a narrow circular +staircase led downward in the wall.</p> + +<p>“That stair curves down to the ground +floor,” he explained. “It comes out +through the side wall inside the big fireplace +in the hall. To open the panel down +there you press a button under the left-hand +corner of the mantel. To close either panel +you simply put it down, once you’re inside.”</p> + +<p>“Are there any more of these passages +in the walls?”</p> + +<p>“Very likely, but I haven’t found them +yet. Winncote is an exact copy of the Doctor’s +ancestral home in Wales. Those old +houses were honeycombed with priest holes, +secret passages and whatnot. And +Doctor Winn had his architect copy the +original Winncote across the water down +to the last stone, with modern improvements +such as bathrooms and steam heat, +added.”</p> + +<p>“Funny old fellow, isn’t he?” commented +Dorothy sleepily. “Then I’m +simply to carry on until I hear from you +again?”</p> + +<p>“That’s right. But whatever you do, +watch your step with the Lawson woman. +She is fully as heartless as she is beautiful. +If you had never heard of that meeting in +the Jordans’ flat, it would be much better +for you. She will try to trap you, so please +be on your guard continually. Well, good +night, again.”</p> + +<p>“Good night, Mr. Tunbridge.”</p> + +<p>The panel in the back wall of the closet +slid into place, and Dorothy went back to +bed. She realized now that this matter of +impersonating her cousin was not going to +prove to be the easy job she had fancied. +A slip on her part now would not only put +her own life in danger, it would probably +ruin all government plans to apprehend +these desperate criminals.</p> + +<p>At last she fell into a troubled sleep +wherein she dreamed that a long circular +staircase curved round and round her bedroom, +and that Mrs. Lawson, dressed as a +butler, had set her to watch every step of it.</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch11' class='break'>Chapter XI<br /><br />GRETCHEN</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>Dorothy awoke from troubled dreams to +find that it was another day. Through the +open window she saw the swirl of snowflakes +driven in a high wind. The bedroom +was cold and in the grey light of the winter +morning it had lost its cheerful air.</p> + +<p>She heard a knock on the door.</p> + +<p>“Who’s there?” she called drowsily.</p> + +<p>“It’s the maid, miss. Mrs. Lawson +thought you might be wanting your breakfast +now.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy looked at her wrist watch. The +hands marked ten-thirty. She jumped out +on the rug, which felt cold and clammy +under her bare feet, went to the door and +unlocked it. Then she scampered back to +bed and snuggled under the warm covers.</p> + +<p>In walked a trim little figure wearing the +small white apron and gray uniform of a +chambermaid. Dorothy saw a round +merry face, and a pair of big blue eyes beneath +the white lawn cap, and thick flaxen +braids were coiled round the neat head. +She was surprised and somehow pleased to +discover that this attractive member of the +household staff could not be much more +than sixteen, just her own age.</p> + +<p>The little maid shut the door softly, +crossed to the window and closed it, turned +on the steam heat and came to the bedside. +“Good morning, Miss Jordan.” She +smiled engagingly. “I’m Gretchen, miss. +Will you have your breakfast in bed?”</p> + +<p>“Why, thank you, Gretchen—that will +be cozy. But if it’s going to give you any +trouble, don’t bother.” With the covers +drawn up to her eyes, Dorothy smiled back +at the girl.</p> + +<p>“Oh, no, miss—it’s no trouble at all.” +Gretchen was insistent. “It’s all ready +now. I’ll run down and bring it up.”</p> + +<p>She whisked out of the room and +Dorothy rolled over for another cat-nap.</p> + +<p>“If you’ll be good enough to sit up now, +Miss Jordan—I have your breakfast here.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy awoke again, yawned and +stretched luxuriously. Gretchen stood beside +her bed with the breakfast tray.</p> + +<p>“If you’ll be good enough to sit up, +miss?” she repeated.</p> + +<p>Dorothy punched the pillows into position +behind her, slipped the quilted gown +about her shoulders and leaned back. +Gretchen moved nearer—then almost +dropped the tray.</p> + +<p>“Why—why—miss—”</p> + +<p>Dorothy leaned over and steadied the +tray. “What’s the matter, Gretchen?” The +little maid was staring at her open-mouthed, +her big blue eyes as round as +saucers.</p> + +<p>“Oh, I—I beg your pardon, but it’s—it’s +the resemblance, miss—Miss Jordan.” +She set the tray over Dorothy’s knees and +drew back still with that astonished look. +“I couldn’t see you very well before, miss, +with the covers up to your eyes. But when +you sat up, it sure did give me a start.”</p> + +<p>“What do you mean, Gretchen? The +resemblance to whom?” Dorothy, outwardly +calm, fingered her glass of orange +juice, but her thoughts raced toward this +new complication.</p> + +<p>“Why, you look so much like Dorothy +Dixon—the flyer, you know, miss. She’s +my hero—I mean, heroine, Miss Jordan. +I’ve read everything the newspapers +printed about her and Bill Bolton. You +must have read about them too, everybody +has?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes, I’ve heard about them.” +Dorothy hoped her tone sounded indifferent. +“But you know, Gretchen, newspaper +pictures are often very poor likenesses.”</p> + +<p>The girl smiled and nodded. “I know +that, Miss Jordan. I’ve got them all and +there isn’t no two of the pictures that looks +alike.”</p> + +<p>“Then how—?”</p> + +<p>“You see, it wasn’t the newspaper pictures +I was thinking of, miss, but Dorothy +Dixon herself. You see I know Miss +Dixon,” she went on proudly, “and you two +are certainly the spittin’ images of each +other, if you don’t mind my saying so.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy minded very much, but it was +not consistent with the part she was playing +to admit it. Here was a contretemps +not even Ashton Sanborn had foreseen. +Yet, of course, New Canaan was only ten +miles away. She had many friends in +Ridgefield, and she’d been there hundreds +of times. But she simply couldn’t remember +having seen Gretchen in any of their +homes. Her answer was but a feeble stall +for time.</p> + +<p>“So you know her then?” she said +lamely.</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes, miss. Not well, you understand. +I saw her and Mr. Bill Bolton first +when they finished the endurance test on +the Conway motor this fall. Then a few +days later, I drove over to her house in our +flivver—over to New Canaan, you know, +and I called on Miss Dixon. I wanted her +to autograph a picture of herself I’d cut +out of the Sunday paper.”</p> + +<p>“And you met her?” Dorothy remembered the incident perfectly now. But the +maid’s uniform—and her hair—when she +had seen her, Gretchen had worn two +braids over her shoulders, very much the +schoolgirl. No wonder she hadn’t recognized +her. But now what should she do? +Would it be possible to keep up this camouflage +with a girl whom she had met and +with whom she would come in daily contact? +Gretchen was talking again.</p> + +<p>“Yes indeed, I met her. And she was +just darling to me, Miss Jordan. She even +gave me one of her own photographs and +wrote on it, too. You see, us Schmidts came +over from Germany about a hundred years +ago, but we’re honest-to-goodness Americans +just the same. Father was in the +American army during the war. He was +an aviation mechanic. He found one of +them Iron Crosses of the Germans on some +battlefield in France and kept it for a mascot. +And would you believe it, miss, Father +never even got wounded once, the whole +time he was over there! Perhaps it was the +little Iron Cross, and perhaps it wasn’t. +Anyway, he thought a lot of his mascot. +When I was ten years old, he had it fixed +on a thin gold chain for me to wear around +my neck, and gave it to me on my birthday. +Well, when I went to see Miss Dixon this +fall, I took it with me. She goes up in her +airplane so much and does so many other +exciting things, I wanted her to have it. +She didn’t want to take the cross at first, but +I persuaded her to, just the same. And you +don’t know how nice she was to me, Miss! +Took me out to see Will-o-the-Wisp—that’s +her plane, you know—she calls it +Wispy for short. And I had a perfectly +grand time. She’s my heroine, all right. +And you, miss—I hope you’ll excuse me +for talking so much about it—but you look +exactly like her, and your voices are just +the same, too. It’s wonderful!”</p> + +<p>“So you are Margaret Schmidt,” +Dorothy said slowly.</p> + +<p>“Yes, miss, that is so, though everybody +calls me Gretchen. How did you know +my given name, Miss Jordan? Is Miss +Dixon a friend of yours? Did she tell you +about me? But that’s silly—she wouldn’t +remember me.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy looked the little maid straight in +the eyes. “She remembers you, Gretchen. +Would you be willing to do something for +her—to keep a secret, a very important and +maybe a dangerous one? Do you think +you could do it?”</p> + +<p>Gretchen looked awestruck, then she +smiled. “Mother says I’m the closest-mouthed +girl she ever saw, miss. They +could cut me in pieces before I ever let +out any secret of Dorothy Dixon’s. I’d +never tell—not me! You can trust me, Miss +Jordan.”</p> + +<p>“I’m sure I can, Gretchen. And I’m +going to.” Dorothy slipped her hand into +the V-neck of her pajamas. “Remember +this?”</p> + +<p>“Why—it’s—it’s my Iron Cross—that +I gave Dorothy Dixon. How in the +world—?”</p> + +<p>“I am Dorothy Dixon.” Dorothy broke +into laughter at the bewildered expression +on the girl’s face.</p> + +<p>“But—but I don’t understand!” Gretchen +stammered as though her tongue +was half-paralyzed. “I knew the resemblance +was wonderful—but—they said you +were Miss Janet Jordan—and—”</p> + +<p>“You sit down on the end of the bed,” +said Dorothy, “I’ll go on with my breakfast +before it gets cold, and explain at the same +time. We won’t be disturbed, will we?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, no, miss.”</p> + +<p>“How about your work, Gretchen? +Will you be wanted downstairs?”</p> + +<p>“Mr. Tunbridge told me to unpack your +trunk, miss—Miss Dixon—and to make +myself generally useful.”</p> + +<p>“Fine,” smiled Dorothy, pouring out +a cup of coffee. “But keep on calling me +Miss Jordan—otherwise you’ll be making +slips in the name in front of other people +and that would be fatal.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, Miss Jordan,” Gretchen grinned +happily.</p> + +<p>“After this beastly business is over,” +Dorothy went on, “we’ll be Gretchen and +Dorothy to each other.”</p> + +<p>The other girl looked a trifle embarrassed. +“But I’m only a chambermaid, +Miss Jordan,” she said shyly.</p> + +<p>“Don’t be silly!” Dorothy waved away +the argument with a sweep of her spoon. +“You’re proving yourself a real friend—and +that’s that.”</p> + +<p>“Very well, Miss Jordan.”</p> + +<p>“Now pin back your ears, Gretchen.” +Dorothy lifted the cover from her scrambled +eggs. “I am taking my cousin, Janet +Jordan’s place as Mrs. Lawson’s secretary. +Nobody in this house knows who I am except +Mr. Tunbridge, nor must they be +given the slightest hint that I am anybody +but Janet Jordan. As you’ve probably +guessed, Janet and I look almost exactly +alike. Our mothers were twins and that +probably accounts for it.”</p> + +<p>“Gee—” breathed Gretchen. “It’s just +like a story in a book!”</p> + +<p>Dorothy bit into a slice of buttered toast. +“Maybe it is,” she admitted, speaking with +her mouth full. “But the point is that you +and I are living this story and it may come +to a very abrupt and unpleasant ending unless +we’re both terribly careful. Let’s see—where +was I? Oh, yes. Mr. Tunbridge +and I are working together on this case, +working for the United States Government.”</p> + +<p>“Secret Service?” asked Gretchen in an +awed whisper.</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“Then I’ll be working for the secret service +too?” Dorothy could see that the girl +was very much impressed with the idea.</p> + +<p>“You will, Gretchen—that is, you are—under +me. But don’t get too pepped up +about it. The work we are on is serious +and it is extremely dangerous into the bargain. +I wouldn’t have brought you into it +unless I had to. Right now I haven’t the +slightest notion how you are going to be +fitted into the picture. But I couldn’t have +you going around, talking about how +much Janet Jordan looks like Dorothy +Dixon, could I? Doctor Winn and the +Lawsons have no idea of either the resemblance +or the relationship. If that came out +and they got wind of it—well, there’s no +telling what might happen.”</p> + +<p>“Especially,” chimed in Gretchen, +“after all the detective work you did in +those three big cases over to New Canaan +this summer and fall.”</p> + +<p>“You’ve got it,” declared Dorothy, and +sipped her coffee. “A robbery is being +planned here, Gretchen, a robbery of some +very valuable papers from Doctor Winn’s +safe. The thieves will probably try to pull +it off tonight. These papers, which have +to do with an invention of the Doctor’s are +worth a million dollars or more to any number +of people. So you see the thieves are +playing for big stakes, and I might as well +tell you that they aren’t the kind that would +let a thing like murder stop them. And +now that you know the facts, are you willing +to go on with it?”</p> + +<p>Gretchen seemed horrified that Dorothy +should doubt her. “Oh, Miss Jordan, I +don’t want to get murdered any more than +anybody else—but, I’m not afraid—honest +I’m not!”</p> + +<p>“I knew you were true blue,” smiled +Dorothy. “So we’ll call it a deal, shall +we?”</p> + +<p>“You bet!” The two girls solemnly +shook hands. “What do you want me to +do first, Miss Jordan?” Gretchen asked +eagerly.</p> + +<p>“Move this tray onto the chair over +there, please. Then while I’m taking a +bath and dressing you might unpack Janet +Jordan’s clothes. I’ll choose something to +wear later.”</p> + +<p>“Very good, Miss Jordan.” The little +maid took the tray, then stopped short, her +round blue eyes very serious. “But what +about the secret service work?”</p> + +<p>“Just carry on as usual for the present.” +Dorothy slipped out of bed. “And remember—not +a word to anyone about what +I’ve told you—not even Mr. Tunbridge. I +don’t know myself exactly what I’m to do +yet. Mrs. Lawson expects me downstairs +in about half an hour, so I’ve got to hustle. +If I need your help later on, I’ll get word to +you somehow.”</p> + +<p>“I hope you will need me, Miss Jordan.” +Gretchen was taking Janet’s frocks from +the wardrobe trunk.</p> + +<p>“And I hope I shan’t!” said Dorothy, +and she disappeared into the bathroom.</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch12' class='break'>Chapter XII<br /><br />TESTS</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>Dorothy came down the wide staircase +a few minutes before eleven-thirty. She +wore a dark blue morning frock of her +cousin’s, its simplicity relieved only by the +soft white collar and deep cuffs. Except +for being rather tight across the shoulders +it fitted her as though she had been poured +into it. She had selected this dress because +she knew it was just the sort of thing a new +secretary would be expected to wear.</p> + +<p>She crossed the broad hall to the open +door of the library, and there found Mrs. +Lawson standing before a window staring +into the storm. Although Dorothy’s footsteps +made practically no sound on the +thick pile of the handsome Bokhara rug, +the woman turned like a flash at her entrance.</p> + +<p>“Oh, good morning, Janet.” The frown +on her face gave way to a pleasant smile. +“I hope you were comfortable last night. +Did you sleep well?”</p> + +<p>“I dropped off as soon as my head +touched the pillow,” she answered, taking +Mrs. Lawson’s outstretched hand. Dorothy +did not believe in telling a lie unless it was +in a good cause; but when necessary, she +invariably made the lie a good one.</p> + +<p>“I hope the storm didn’t wake you,” +smiled Laura, holding Dorothy’s hand.</p> + +<p>Dorothy did not reply at once. Two long +fingers were lightly pressing her wrist, and +she saw that Mrs. Lawson’s eyes had +strayed to the grandfather’s clock in the +corner of the room. “Test number one,” +she said to herself. “Mrs. du Val, alias +Lawson is counting my pulse. Well, I’ve +got a clear conscience, perhaps I can give +her a shock.” She drew her hand away and +answered the woman’s question in her normal +voice. “Oh, the storm! No, I never +heard it, Mrs. Lawson. If that hot lemonade +had been drugged, I couldn’t have slept +any sounder!”</p> + +<p>“What makes you say that?” snapped +her employer, and beneath the velvet tone, +Dorothy sensed the ring of steel.</p> + +<p>She dropped her eyes, and turning toward +the open hearth, held out her hands +to the crackling blaze. “Oh, I don’t know,” +she said sweetly and like the clever little +strategist that she was, opened her own offensive +in the enemy’s territory. “I have +the bad habit of occasionally walking in +my sleep, Mrs. Lawson—and especially +when I spend the night in a strange bed. +Perhaps it’s nervousness—I don’t know.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lawson threw her a sharp glance. +“Sit down, Janet,” she suggested, pointing +to a chair near the fire, and taking one herself +across the hearth. “You’re—I mean, +you don’t seem to be at all nervous this +morning.”</p> + +<p>“Good old pulse!” thought Dorothy. +Then aloud—“No, I feel splendidly, thank +you. But, you see, I didn’t walk in my +sleep last night.”</p> + +<p>“But surely you can’t tell when you do +it!”</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes, I can.” Dorothy’s manner and +tone were those of the simple schoolgirl +proud of an unusual accomplishment.</p> + +<p>“You don’t expect me to believe that you +know what you’re doing when you walk in +your sleep, Janet. That’s impossible!”</p> + +<p>“Not while I’m sleepwalking, Mrs. +Lawson. That wasn’t what I said—but +when I have been sleepwalking—there’s a +difference, you see?”</p> + +<p>“Well?” The lady of the house objected +to being contradicted and took no trouble +to hide it.</p> + +<p>“It’s really very simple,” explained Dorothy, +painstakingly, as though she were +speaking to a rather stupid child. “I found +out how to do it. You see, I’ve been walking +in my sleep ever since I was a little +thing. When I get in bed at night I leave +my slippers on the floor beside it pointed +outward—away from the bed. We all +leave them that way, I guess. It’s the natural +thing to do.”</p> + +<p>“But what have slippers got to do with +it?” Laura was becoming impatient.</p> + +<p>“Everything, so far as I’m concerned, +Mrs. Lawson. When I’ve been walking at +night, I always find them in the morning +beside the bed, but pointing <em>toward</em> it. I +evidently slip them off before I get back +into bed, and—”</p> + +<p>“I’m beginning to think you are quite a +clever girl, Janet.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, thank you,” said Dorothy with a +guilelessness that was sheer camouflage. +“Has anybody been saying I’m stupid? +I’ve always stood high in my classes at +school.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, not stupid, child—but nervous—perhaps +a little unbalanced, especially this +past week.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy raised her heavy lashes and +looked Mrs. Lawson squarely in the face. +This might be a test she was undergoing +and it probably was; but here was a heaven +sent chance to stir up discord in the enemy’s +camp. She must work up to it gradually.</p> + +<p>“I know that I was nervous and upset +past all endurance.” She leaned forward, +her hands on the arms of the chair. “How +would you like your father to lock you in +your bedroom for a week, without ever +coming to see you, or giving you any explanation +for such outrageous treatment? +Am I a child to be handled like that? To +be shipped up here to strangers, whether I +wanted to go or not? How would you feel +about it, Mrs. Lawson, if you were me? +Don’t say you would submit to it sitting +down.”</p> + +<p>“But I am taking you on as my secretary,” +the lady hedged. “Offering you a +good position for which you’ll be paid +twenty dollars a week. That’s not to be +thought of lightly, especially in these +times.”</p> + +<p>“But it doesn’t seem to strike you that I +might like to have something to say about +it,” Dorothy replied calmly. “As for the +salary—that’s no inducement. My mother +left me five thousand a year. I came into +the income on my last birthday, so you see +I have nearly a hundred dollars a week, +whether I work or not.”</p> + +<p>“I didn’t know that, of course,” Mrs. +Lawson admitted and none too graciously. +“Your father wants you to be here while +he’s away. I hope you aren’t going to be +difficult, Janet.”</p> + +<p>“I hope not, Mrs. Lawson. I shall be +glad to stay here for a while and do the +work you’d planned for me; but if I do, it +must be as a guest and not as a paid dependant.”</p> + +<p>“But you are a guest, Janet.”</p> + +<p>“I shall not accept a salary, Mrs. Lawson.”</p> + +<p>“Very well, my dear, if you wish it that +way.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you very much.”</p> + +<p>“To get back to our former topic,” Mrs. +Lawson said, and lit a cigarette. “I can +understand that your father’s conduct in +confining you to your room might be exasperating—but +why should it make you +nervous? And my husband tells me that +when he visited you in your room you acted +as though you were in deadly fear of something +or somebody every time he saw you. +What was the trouble, Janet? Was anything +worrying you?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, there was, Mrs. Lawson.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy looked down at the andirons, +and her hands on the chair arms twisted embarrassedly. +From the corner of her eye +she saw a smile of satisfaction light up the +older woman’s face. She knew she was +playing with fire and that Mrs. Lawson was +watching her as a hawk watches its defenseless +prey before it strikes. But all unknown +to her inquisitor, Dorothy had been +leading her into this trap as a move forward +in her own game. Genuine dislike for the +woman as well as a mischievous impulse on +her part drew her to make the scene as dramatic +and convincing as possible.</p> + +<p>“Yes—I—I—was afraid,” she went on, +dragging out the words slowly.</p> + +<p>“Then don’t you think you’d better tell +me about it, Janet? I’m nearly old enough +to be your mother. Let me take your +mother’s place, dear. Give me your confidence. +I feel sure I’ll be able to help +you, child.”</p> + +<p>This reference to Janet’s dead mother by +a woman who was the vilest kind of a hypocrite +swept away Dorothy’s last compunction. +She herself was going to commit +justifiable libel. Mrs. Lawson, on the other +hand, was attempting to lead Janet Jordan +into a confession of shamming sleep at the +fateful meeting a week ago. And such a +confession meant a sentence of death from +this beautiful siren who gazed at her so +winningly, who puffed a cigarette so nonchalantly +while she waited for an unsuspecting +girl to commit herself.</p> + +<p>“Well, I don’t know—I can’t help hesitating +to tell <em>you</em>, Mrs. Lawson,” Dorothy +began timidly.</p> + +<p>“There’s no need to be afraid of anything,” +replied the woman, only half veiling +the sneer that went with the words.</p> + +<p>“Oh, but you see, there is, Mrs. Lawson!” +Dorothy’s manner was still indecisive. +“I don’t want—in fact, I hate awfully +to hurt you this way.”</p> + +<p>“Hurt me!” Mrs. Lawson’s cigarette +snapped into the fireplace like a miniature +comet. “Hurt me, child? What in the +wide world are you talking about?”</p> + +<p>“Just what I say, Mrs. Lawson.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lawson sniffed. “Don’t be ridiculous, +Janet. Out with it now. What did +you fear when you were locked in your +room?”</p> + +<p>“Your husband, Mrs. Lawson.”</p> + +<p>“My husband!”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“But—why—I don’t believe you.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, very well. You asked the question, +I was trying to answer it, that’s all.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lawson bit her lip. She was furious. +“As long as you’ve said what you +have, you’d better go on with it,” she said +acidly.</p> + +<p>“There isn’t any more,” returned Dorothy. +“That’s all there is.”</p> + +<p>“But surely he must have given you reasons +for your assertion.” Mrs. Lawson +had walked beautifully into Dorothy’s +trap. Her own plan to snare an unsuspecting +girl had been blotted out by the shadow +of the Green Goddess, Jealousy. “Tell me +what my husband did or said to make you +fear him, and tell me at once.”</p> + +<p>“It wasn’t what he did, Mrs. Lawson—it +was the way he looked.”</p> + +<p>“What do you mean—the way he +looked?”</p> + +<p>Dorothy had thrust a painful knife into +the mental cosmos of her adversary. Now +she deliberately turned it in the wound. +“Very probably,” she said quietly, looking +her straight in the eyes, “you can remember +how Mr. Lawson looked when he first +made love to you. I don’t want to be made +love to, and I don’t like <em>him</em>, Mrs. Lawson.”</p> + +<p>“What did you do?”</p> + +<p>“I told him to leave me—and when he +would not go, I simply walked into my +bathroom and locked the door.”</p> + +<p>“But what happened the next time he +came? Martin went in to see you every +day, didn’t he?”</p> + +<p>“He did. But he talked to me through +the bathroom door. Just as soon as I heard +the key turn in the lock I’d hop in there.”</p> + +<p>The man she had been talking about +must have been listening just outside in the +hall, for now he strode into the room and up +to Dorothy. “That,” he said menacingly, +“is a deliberate lie, Miss Janet Jordan!”</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch13' class='break'>Chapter XIII<br /><br />WINNITE</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>Dorothy looked up and smiled carelessly +at the man. “You’re very polite, Mr. Lawson. +Perhaps it isn’t my place to say it to a +man old enough to be my father—but +eavesdroppers rarely hear good of themselves.”</p> + +<p>Martin Lawson, who prided himself +upon his youthful appearance, grew +angrier than ever. “I—I won’t stand for +such outrageous libel,” he thundered. “I’ve +always treated you as though you were my +own—well, daughter, if you like.”</p> + +<p>“I <em>don’t</em> like it, Mr. Lawson—but that +doesn’t make any difference,” Dorothy’s +tone was one of pained acceptance. “If +you listened long enough, you will know +that I didn’t bring this matter up myself. +Mrs. Lawson was asking questions and I +was trying to answer them, that’s all. If +you prefer it, I’ll say that it was the wind +whistling outside the windows that made +me afraid.” She looked over at Mrs. Lawson, +who was watching them through half +shut eyes, as though to say, “—you understand, +of course—anything for peace.”</p> + +<p>Martin Lawson intercepted the glance +and became even more furious, if that were +possible. “You—you little viper!” he +snarled. “Laura, don’t you believe a word +of it. The whole thing’s her own invention—a +pack of lies!”</p> + +<p>“A silly schoolgirl fancy, if you like, +Martin.” Laura Lawson’s tone was expressionless. +“But I can understand it just +the same. Yes, I can understand it.”</p> + +<p>“What do you mean—you understand +it?”</p> + +<p>“I was a girl once myself,” she replied +in the same colorless tone. “And then, you +see, I know you very, very well.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, you do, do you?”</p> + +<p>“He’s off again,” sighed Dorothy, but +quite to herself.</p> + +<p>“And you have the nerve to insinuate—?” the angry man went on, beside himself +with rage. “You know as well as I +do, Laura, that this girl was afraid because +of what she saw and heard at the meeting. +She—”</p> + +<p>“That will be quite enough, Martin.” +His wife interrupted him sharply. “And +what is more—you probably have not noticed +that since Janet has been here and +with other people, she is very much herself—and +afraid of nothing at all.”</p> + +<p>“What meeting is he talking about, Mrs. +Lawson?” Dorothy pointedly ignored the +angry husband.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lawson stood up. “Never mind +that now,” she decreed, albeit pleasantly. +“Come along with me to my office. I have +some typing I’d like you to do for me before +luncheon. Martin!” She swung round +on her husband. “You will wait here for +me. I’ll be back in a few minutes—I want +to talk to you.” She slipped her arm +through Dorothy’s and drew her from the +room.</p> + +<p>Once in the entrance hall, she led her +back and under the gallery to a corridor +which opened at the right of the broad +stairs. Dorothy saw that there were several +doors in the right hand wall. Mrs. Lawson +stopped at the second of these and +opened it.</p> + +<p>They walked in and Dorothy saw that +they were in the office. It seemed very +businesslike and austere after coming from +the luxury of the library and spacious hall. +Near the one window stood a broad table +desk, and opposite that a typewriter desk. +Two steel filing cabinets and three plain +chairs completed the room’s furnishings. +The walls were hung with framed blueprints +and a large-scale map of Fairfield +County, Connecticut.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lawson took some papers from a +drawer in the large desk and handed them +to Dorothy. “This is in longhand, as +you see,” she explained, “please type it, +double space, and I’d like to have a carbon +copy.” She glanced at a small wrist-watch +set with diamonds. “It is just noon +now. Luncheon is at one. Do you think +you can finish the work by that time?”</p> + +<p>Dorothy glanced at the manuscript. +“This won’t make more than four typewritten +sheets. I can do it easily in an hour +and have time to spare.”</p> + +<p>“Good!” The older woman patted her +lightly on the shoulder. “Take your time +about it. Do you think you can read my +handwriting?”</p> + +<p>“Nothing could be plainer, Mrs. Lawson.” +Dorothy smiled back at her.</p> + +<p>“Very well, then. I’ll see you at lunch. +The dining room is across the hall from the +library.”</p> + +<p>At the door, she stopped and turned as +though she had just remembered something.</p> + +<p>“Don’t let what my husband said bother +you, Janet.”</p> + +<p>“That’s forgotten already,” Dorothy +said easily.</p> + +<p>“Like most men, he flies off the handle +when irritated. Pay no attention to it.”</p> + +<p>“I understand.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lawson hesitated for the fraction +of a second. “By the way, Janet,” she remarked. +“When was the last time you +walked in your sleep—that you found your +slippers pointed toward your bed in the +morning?”</p> + +<p>Dorothy pretended to think. “Let me +see,” she said slowly. “Yes—it was the +night before Daddy locked me in my room! +I found that I couldn’t get out in the morning, +and naturally, I wanted to know the +reason why. I still do, for that matter. +Except for some foolishness about my being +ill, I’m still waiting for an explanation. +As a matter of fact, I was perfectly well. +I’m terribly annoyed, of course, and it worries +me to think that Daddy should act this +way, but so far as my health goes, I’ve never +felt better.”</p> + +<p>“I’m glad to hear it, dear. We’ll check +up on your father when he returns. I’m +your friend, you know. Don’t let the matter +prey on your mind.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you, Mrs. Lawson. I’ll try to +do as you say.” Dorothy thought she was +going then, but it seemed that the woman +had still another question that she had been +holding back.</p> + +<p>“When you are in this somnambulistic +state,” she said, “when you are sleepwalking, +I mean, doesn’t it terrify you to awaken +and find yourself out of your bed?”</p> + +<p>Dorothy frowned and seemed puzzled. +“Perhaps it would,” she admitted. “But +then, you see, I can’t remember ever +wakening while I was walking during the +night. I must sleep very soundly. At +school the night watchman or one of the +teachers would frequently find me walking +about the building. They would lead +me back to bed, or just tell me to go there, +and I would always obey. Until they told +me about it next day, I knew nothing of +course. That’s how I got onto the business +of the slippers, you see.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes. I wondered how you’d been +able to check on it. Well, I must trot along +now and let you get to work. Until luncheon +then, my dear.”</p> + +<p>She was gone at last and Dorothy made a +face at the closed door. “Of all the plausible hypocrites I’ve ever met,” she muttered, +“you certainly take the well known chocolate +cake!”</p> + +<p>She sat down at the typewriter desk, +pulled out the machine, and slipped in two +sheets of paper and a carbon that she found +in one of the drawers. Halfway through a +perusal of Mrs. Lawson’s first page, she +looked up. The door opened quickly and +Mr. Tunbridge came into the room.</p> + +<p>“I’ve just a moment,” he prefaced hurriedly. +“They mustn’t find me here. What +was the row in the library?”</p> + +<p>Dorothy explained briefly.</p> + +<p>“Fine! Put you through the hoops, eh? +I had a good idea she would do something +of the kind. You came out of a difficult +situation with flying colors, I take it. But +be careful about run-ins with Lawson. +He’s a slick article—in fact, the two of +them are a pair of the slickest articles it’s +ever been my misfortune to run across. +And they’re going it hammer and tongs in +the library right now. I was a bit worried +about you, that’s why I took this chance.”</p> + +<p>“When do I get my instructions for tonight?”</p> + +<p>“Late this afternoon, probably. I’ll get +them to you somehow.”</p> + +<p>“Thanks. And here’s something else. +This script I’m going to type for Mrs. L. +has to do with the properties of a highly explosive +gas which seems to burn up everything +it comes in contact with and lets off +fumes of deadly poison while it’s doing +that! Shall I make a copy for you?”</p> + +<p>“Please do!” His hand rested on the +doorknob. “Yes, it’s important that we +have a copy. That’s the stuff Doctor Winn +has just invented, without a doubt.”</p> + +<p>“Awful!” exclaimed Dorothy. “Just +think what would happen if that were used +in a war!”</p> + +<p>“That’s the government’s business, Miss +Dixon.”</p> + +<p>“‘Ours but to do—and die—’” she +quoted and her tone was deadly serious.</p> + +<p>“Quite right. But make the carbon copy +just the same—and don’t let them catch you +at it.”</p> + +<p>“I won’t, Mr. Tunbridge.”</p> + +<p>“Bye-bye, then. I’ll get along now. +There may be some home truths floating +out of the library that will give me extra +dope on the du-Val—Lawson pair.”</p> + +<p>The door closed, and after slipping an +extra carbon and a sheet of very thin copy +paper into the typewriter, Dorothy read +Mrs. Lawson’s treatise on “Winnite and Its +Properties” from start to finish.</p> + +<p>“Horrible!” she murmured, as she finished +reading. “Simply horrible!” Again +her eyes sought the last paragraph. “The +effect is easily estimated of an airplane +dropping a single bomb filled with the explosive, +inflammable and deadly poison +gas, Winnite, upon Manhattan Island, for +instance: the bomb would explode upon detonation +and within an inconceivably short +space of time, not only would the City of +Greater New York be in flames, but every +living thing within that area would be +dead from the poison fumes. This includes +not only human, animal and insect life, but +all vegetable matter as well.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy sighed. “And I am supposed +to help keep this terrible stuff from the +hands of thieves so that our government +may use it in time of war. Well—we’ll +see—and that’s not that by a long shot!”</p> + +<p>She put down the manuscript and began +to type it.</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch14' class='break'>Chapter XIV<br /><br />PROFESSOR</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>Dorothy, upon finishing the article on +Winnite, laid the original and first carbon +copy of the typewritten sheets on Mrs. +Lawson’s desk. The almost transparent +sheets of the second carbon copy she folded +carefully as though she meant to place +them in an envelope. But instead of this, +her right foot slipped out of its walking +pump, the sheer silk stocking followed it. +Then she put on the stocking again, but +now the soft papers rested between the +stocking and the sole of her foot. The +pump fitted more snugly than before, although +not uncomfortably so. Content +with her morning’s work, she had closed +the typewriter and was studying the effect +of a new shade of powder in her compact +mirror when Mrs. Lawson came into the +room.</p> + +<p>“I take it you’ve finished the work?”</p> + +<p>“The original and copy are beside the +longhand manuscript on your desk,” said +Dorothy, toning down her efforts with the +puff. “I’ve read it over and I don’t think +you’ll find any mistakes.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lawson ran her eyes over the typewritten +sheets. “They are without a fault,” +she declared, placing them in a drawer. +“If you take dictation as accurately as you +type, Janet, you’ll be the perfect secretary.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you,” said Dorothy demurely +and slipped the compact into the pocket of +her frock. “It is very nice of you to say +that.”</p> + +<p>“Then we’ll go in to luncheon, shall we? +That is, if you’re ready?”</p> + +<p>Dorothy stood up. “Quite ready, Mrs. +Lawson, and good and hungry, too.”</p> + +<p>“Splendid!” enthused her hostess, as +they walked down the corridor toward the +entrance hall. “Doctor Winn declares +this Connecticut Ridge country is the most +healthful section of the United States. And +even if some people have other ideas on +the subject, I can testify that it is a great +appetite builder.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy smiled, but said nothing. She +was wondering how healthful she was going +to find this particular spot in the Ridge +country after what she had to do tonight.</p> + +<p>“Doctor Winn always lunches in his +study,” continued Mrs. Lawson. “That is +the room just beyond my office. My husband +has been called to New York on business. +He won’t be back until after dinner +tonight, so we will be alone at luncheon.”</p> + +<p>For some reason of her own, Laura +Lawson had become affability itself. And +for this Dorothy gave thanks. That she disliked +this truly beautiful creature was only +natural. But it is much more pleasant to +lunch with a person who puts herself out +to be charming and affable, no matter what +your private opinion of the other’s character +may be.</p> + +<p>The dining room proved to be a low-ceiled +apartment paneled in white pine; +heavy beams of the satin-finished wood +overhead, and on the walls several colorful +landscapes in oils, evidently the works of +artists who knew and loved this Ridge +country. A cheerful log fire burned +brightly on the open hearth beneath a high +mantelpiece. Outside, the heavy snow +continued to drive past frosted window-panes, +but within all was warmth and coziness.</p> + +<p>Dorothy enjoyed the meal thoroughly. +Like most girls, she revelled in luxury +when it came her way. Not only was her +hostess an interesting and entertaining +conversationalist, the delicious food +served by Tunbridge and a second man in +plum-colored knee breeches, added materially +to her pleasure. She was really sorry +when the butler lighted his mistress’ cigarette +and Mrs. Lawson rose from the table.</p> + +<p>“I have no work for you this afternoon, +Janet,” said the lady, as they strolled into +the spacious hall with its suits of polished +armor and trophies of war and the chase +decorating the walls. “I have some work +to complete with Doctor Winn, so I won’t +be free to entertain you. There are periodicals and novels in the library. If it +weren’t such a beastly day, I would suggest +a walk.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I don’t mind a snowstorm!” Dorothy +smiled at her. “I’d love to be out in it +for a while.”</p> + +<p>“But I’m afraid you might get lost. The +blizzard is driving out of the northeast—and +that means something in this country. +You’ll find it more disagreeable than you +think.”</p> + +<p>“I’m not afraid to walk in a blizzard,” +Dorothy argued, “we used to do it a lot at +school—I love it.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, very well, then,” went on Mrs. +Lawson. “I used to enjoy that sort of thing +myself. Somebody had better go with you, +though. Let me see—” She hesitated. +“Oh, yes—Gretchen will be just the person. +She’s a nice little thing—a native of +Ridgefield, you know. Gretchen can show +you round the place, and there’ll be no +chance of your getting lost.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy was amused by this pretended +concern for her safety. She knew that +Mrs. Lawson feared she might take it into +her head to walk to the railroad station +and board the first train back to town. +Gretchen as guide and chaperone would +be able to forestall anything like that. Mrs. +Lawson was not yet sure of the new secretary!</p> + +<p>Dorothy’s features betrayed no sign of +her thoughts. “That will be ever so much +pleasanter than going alone,” she agreed. +“Gretchen seems to be a sweet girl. I saw +her this morning when she brought my +breakfast and unpacked my clothes. I’m +sorry, though, that you can’t come too.” +Deception, she found, was becoming a +habit when treating with her hostess.</p> + +<p>“Thank you, my dear—I’m sorry, too.” +Mrs. Lawson went toward the tasselled bell +rope that hung beside the fireplace. “Run +upstairs now and get into warm things. +I’ll ring for Gretchen and have her meet +you down here in quarter of an hour.”</p> + +<p>Fifteen minutes afterward, warmly +dressed in whipcord jodhpurs, a heavy +sweater and knee-length leather coat of +dark green, Dorothy came out of her room +onto the gallery, pulling a white wool skating +cap well down over her ears. With a +white wool scarf twisted about her throat, +the long ends thrown back over her shoulders, +she looked ready for any winter sport +as she ran lightly down the stairs, the rubber +soles of her high arctics making no +sound on the broad oaken steps.</p> + +<p>Gretchen, well bundled up in sweater +and heavy tweed skirt was waiting for her.</p> + +<p>“You certainly do look like a picture on +a Christmas magazine cover, Miss Jordan,” +the girl exclaimed, while they walked +to the front door. “I’m glad you’ve got +warm gauntlets. It’s mighty cold out—you’ll +need them.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy laughed gaily and swung open +the door. “Nothing could be more becoming +than your own costume, Gretchen. +That light blue skating set is just the color +of your eyes.”</p> + +<p>“That,” chuckled Gretchen, “is the real +reason I bought it.”</p> + +<p>They were outside now and standing +under the wide porte-cochere of glass and +wrought iron.</p> + +<p>“It’s glorious out here, and not too cold, +either.” Dorothy sniffed the sharp air enthusiastically. +“I hate staying indoors on +a wild day like this. Look at those big +flakes spinning down and sideslipping into +the drifts. It makes one glad to be alive.”</p> + +<p>“You said it, Miss Jordan. I love it myself—though +I never thought of snowflakes +being like airplanes before. Which +way do you want to go?”</p> + +<p>“You’re the leader, Gretchen. Anywhere +you say suits me.”</p> + +<p>“Then let’s tramp over to the pond, Miss +Jordan. The ice ought to be holding. +We’ll stop at the garage and fetch a broom +along. There’s too much snow for skating, +but we might make a slide.”</p> + +<p>“That will be fun,” agreed Dorothy, as +they came down the steps and swung along +the white expanse of driveway. “I haven’t +done anything like that since I was a kid. +How far’s the pond from here?”</p> + +<p>“About half a mile. Doctor Winn owns +several hundred acres. It’s down yonder +in a hollow. This time of year when the +trees are bare, you can see it plainly from +the house. Today there’s too much snow.”</p> + +<p>“There certainly is plenty of it!” Dorothy +was ploughing through the fluffy white +mass nearly up to her knees. “A good eighteen +inches must have fallen already and +it’s drifting fast. If it doesn’t stop by tonight, +Winncote will be snowed in for a +while. What’s that building over there, +Gretchen—gray stone, isn’t it?”</p> + +<p>“That’s the laboratory, miss. It’s really +a wing of the house. The stables are just +beyond, but this storm’s so thick, it blots +them out. Well, here we are at the garage. +If you’ll wait a minute, I’ll step inside and +get a broom.”</p> + +<p>“Get two if you can,” suggested Dorothy. +“Then we’ll both get some exercise, +and they’ll come in handy while we’re getting +through the drifts.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll do my best,” said Gretchen. She +disappeared through a door in the side of +the building.</p> + +<p>Dorothy looked about her. Rolling +clouds of windswept snowflakes made it +impossible to see objects more than a few +yards away with any distinctness. The +dark shadow of low clouds painted the +white of her landscape a cold, dull gray. +But she noticed, as she waited, that the +storm was driving in gusts, that occasionally +there would be a short lull when the +sun, tinging the sky with rose and yellow, +seemed fighting to break its way through to +this white-blanketed world. Then Gretchen, +a broom in each hand, joined her.</p> + +<p>“Whew! that place was stuffy,” she said, +handing one of the brooms to Dorothy, +and starting ahead at right angles from the +way they had come. “Hanley made a fuss +giving me two—he would! It’s a wonder +the cars don’t melt in there. He keeps the +place like an oven. All the help from the +city is like that. They can’t seem to get +warm enough, and the way they hate fresh +air is a caution! I roomed with Sadie, the +other chambermaid, when I first came, and +you won’t believe it, but that girl had nailed +our window shut so it couldn’t be opened! +I spoke to Mr. Tunbridge next morning, +and he gave me a room of my own. I always +did like Mr. Tunbridge. He’s a real +gentleman, he is.”</p> + +<p>They forged ahead through the drifts to +the crossfire of Gretchen’s light chatter, +and Dorothy was given a series of entertaining +stories concerning the habits of the +Winncote servants and their life below-stairs. +It was rough going with the storm +in their faces, and Gretchen eventually +ceased her gossiping from sheer lack of +breath. The ground began to slope gently +downward, and finally they came to a belt +of trees in a hollow. Fifty yards farther on, +a broad expanse of white marked the extent +of Winncote Pond beneath its thick, +flat quilt of snow.</p> + +<p>“Think the ice will hold?” Dorothy +walked to the brink of the little lake. “I’d +hate to go in on a day like this.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, that’s all right. I was down here +for an hour yesterday afternoon with my +skates before the snow began, and it was +much warmer then. The ice was wonderful—slick +as glass and solid as a rock.”</p> + +<p>By dint of considerable exercise they +cleared two narrow paths that ran parallel +across the ice. Then they commenced a +series of sliding contests, each girl on her +own ice track. Starting at a line in the +snow a few yards above the low bank, they +would race forward to the brink and shoot +out on the ice, vying with each other to +see who could slide the farthest. There +were several tumbles at first, but the deep +snow along the sides of the tracks prevented +bad bumps. Soon, however, they +both became adepts at the sport. Dorothy, +aided by her extra weight, for she was at +least twenty pounds heavier than little +Gretchen, invariably won.</p> + +<p>After a half an hour of this rather violent +sport, they cleared the snow from a fallen +tree trunk and sat down for a rest. Here +in the hollow, surrounded by trees, the +wind lost a great deal of its force. But the +snow continued to fall unabated, and their +hot breath clouded like steam in the cold +air. Their cheeks were tingling crimson +from the racing, and both felt in high good +spirits.</p> + +<p>“I can’t understand why so many rich +people go south every winter,” Gretchen +said earnestly. “I wouldn’t miss out on this +fun—the snow and the skating, tobogganing—for +anything in the world.”</p> + +<p>“People like that,” decreed Dorothy, +“just don’t know how to live. You can +have lots of fun in summer, of course. I +don’t know which I love the best. But this +sort of thing makes you feel just grand. It +certainly put the pep into—.” She stopped +short and sprang to her feet. From somewhere +close by and seemingly below her, +had come a low, moaning sound.</p> + +<p>Gretchen jumped up. Her doll-like +face with its round, blue eyes took on a look +of startled wonder. “What was that?” she +cried. “It sounded as if I—as if I was +sitting on it!”</p> + +<p>Again came the low cry in a weird, +minor key.</p> + +<p>“You were. It’s coming from the inside +of this log. An animal of some kind.”</p> + +<p>“Why, I guess you’re right. Whatever +it is, the thing gave me the heebie-jeebies +for a minute.”</p> + +<p>The snow had drifted over the butt of the +half-rotted tree. Dorothy took her broom +and swept it clear.</p> + +<p>“The log’s hollow!” she exclaimed and +bent down. “Yes, there’s something in +there—I can see its eyes—come here, Gretchen! +You can see for yourself.”</p> + +<p>“Not me!” declared that young woman. +“I don’t want to get bit—I mean, bitten, +miss.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, never mind the grammar.” Dorothy +was almost standing on her head, trying +to get a better view. “But do cut out the +polite trimmings when we’re alone. You’re +Gretchen and I’m Dorothy—savez?”</p> + +<p>“All right—Dorothy. But please be +careful. That thing may jump out at you.”</p> + +<p>“I wish it would. Then I’d know what +it is. And whatever it is, the animal in there +can’t be much bigger than a rabbit. The +hole isn’t wide enough.”</p> + +<p>“Maybe it is a rabbit.” Gretchen came +nearer.</p> + +<p>“Did you ever hear a rabbit make a noise +like that?” Dorothy’s tone was disdainful.</p> + +<p>“Then—maybe it’s a wildcat!” said +Gretchen fearfully.</p> + +<p>“Well, if it is, it’s a small one. Here, +puss—puss. The silly thing is too far in +to reach. She just blinks at me.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps she’s hurt and crawled in there +to die, Dorothy.”</p> + +<p>“Aren’t you cheerful! She probably +crawled in there to get out of the storm, and +is half-frozen, poor thing.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I don’t know what we’re going to +do about it,” sighed Gretchen, still keeping +her distance.</p> + +<p>Once more the low moan came from the +log, but now that the end was free from +snow, the sound was much clearer.</p> + +<p>“That’s no wildcat, either!” Dorothy +twisted her head, first to the right, then to +the left, in an attempt to get a better light on +the log’s occupant. “There’s too much of +a whine in that cry. The thing’s probably a +young fox. How does one call a fox, +Gretchen? I’m hanged if I know.”</p> + +<p>“Nor me, neither, Dorothy. It’s the first +time I’ve ever heard of anybody wanting +to call one.”</p> + +<p>They both laughed. “You don’t seem +to know much about foxes,” teased Dorothy. +“Didn’t you ever see a fox?”</p> + +<p>“No. But my father says the way they +steal eggs and suck them is a caution.”</p> + +<p>“Well,” admitted Dorothy, “we can’t +stand around here all day, trying to get +frozen foxes out of hollow logs. I’ll try +whistling, and you can make a noise like a +sucked egg. If that doesn’t work, we’ll +have to leave him in his lair.” With a wink +at the giggling Gretchen, she bent down +again and whistled shrilly. “Here, boy!” +she called. “Come on out to your mama!”</p> + +<p>There was a scrambling noise within the +log, and Gretchen started for the pond.</p> + +<p>“Oh, be careful, Dorothy! Do be careful!” +she cried, as she saw her friend gather +a small creature into her arms. “What is +it, anyway—is it a fox?”</p> + +<p>“No, a first cousin.” Dorothy shook the +ends of her wool scarf free from snow and +wrapped them around the small animal.</p> + +<p>“A first cousin?” Gretchen came nearer. +“What in the world do you mean by that?”</p> + +<p>“Come and take a look,” her friend invited. +“He won’t bite you, will you, boy?”</p> + +<p>Gretchen saw her pat a little black nose +that poked its way out of the scarf. A long +pointed head, brindle and white, in which +were set two snapping black eyes, followed +the nose. “Why, why, it’s a fox terrier—a +fox terrier puppy!” she gasped. “How do +you suppose he ever came to crawl into that +log?”</p> + +<p>Dorothy patted the dog’s head. “Got +lost in the storm, I guess. The poor little +chap can’t be over three months old. Does +he belong up at the house?”</p> + +<p>“No, he doesn’t. What’s more, none of +the people who live around here have a fox +terrier pup that I know of.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy examined the pup’s front paws, +but did so very gently. “This little man +has come a long way.” She covered him +again. “The bottom of his feet show it. +They’re cut and badly swollen. And he’s +half-frozen and starved into the bargain, +I’ll bet. Let’s go back to the house and +make him comfortable.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll carry the brooms,” said Gretchen. +“You have an armful, with him. By the +way, you’re going to keep him, aren’t +you?”</p> + +<p>“Surest thing you know! That is, unless +someone comes to claim him.”</p> + +<p>They trudged off through the trees and +up the hill, Gretchen shouldering the +brooms.</p> + +<p>“What are you going to call him?” she +asked, after a while.</p> + +<p>“What do you think?”</p> + +<p>“Why, I don’t know. Wait a minute, +though—there’s a girl who lives over in +Silvermine named Dorothea Gutmann. +Daddy sometimes does work for her father. +Dorothea has a fox terrier pup and she calls +him ‘Professor.’ Do you know why?”</p> + +<p>“I give up,” said Dorothy, floundering +through the snow beside her. “Why does +Dorothea Gutmann call her fox terrier pup +Professor?”</p> + +<p>“Because,” smiled Gretchen in delight, +“he just about ate up a dictionary!”</p> + +<p>Dorothy laughed merrily, and hugged +the warm little bundle in her arms. “And +when you’ve got outside a lot of words like +that, even a pup would know as much as the +average professor, I s’pose.”</p> + +<p>“That’s the way Dorothea thought about +it. I’ve been over to the Gutmanns a couple +of times with Daddy and her dog looks +enough like yours to be a twin!”</p> + +<p>“We run into doubles nowadays, every +day!” Dorothy chuckled. “First it’s Janet +and me who can’t be told apart. Then it’s +Dorothea’s dog and mine. I know her, +too, by the way. She’s in the New Canaan +Junior High. But I haven’t seen her +puppy. Our names are almost alike, too, +but not quite, thank goodness. If any more +of this double identity business comes +along, I’ll just have to give up. A girl’s +got to have some sort of a personality all her +own, you know.”</p> + +<p>“I wouldn’t let that worry me,” said +Gretchen. “There’s only one Dorothy +Dixon, after all.”</p> + +<p>“Thanks for those kind words, Gretchen. +That’s really very sweet of you, +though. If the pup was a lady, I’d call him +‘Gretchen’. Since he isn’t, ‘Professor’ will +do very nicely. We’ll try him on a dictionary +when we get home, that is, after he’s had +some nice warm bread and milk, and a +good sleep.”</p> + +<p>“If,” smiled Gretchen, “what you said +just now was meant for a compliment—well, +I’m glad Professor is not a lady. +You’d better go on to the house, while I +drop these brooms in here at the garage. +I’ll come to your room just as soon as I can +slip into my uniform, and I’ll bring up the +bread and milk.”</p> + +<p>“I always knew you were a dear,” said +Dorothy, and she continued to push her +way on toward the house.</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch15' class='break'>Chapter XV<br /><br />TEA AND ORDERS</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>After she had changed her clothes and +fed the famished pup with a bowl of warm +milk and bread, Dorothy took him down to +the library. Gretchen brought a small +open basket and a blanket and they made +him a bed near the open fire. Professor +promptly went to sleep, and his mistress +curled up in a deep chair beside him, reading +and dozing for the rest of the afternoon. +To amuse Gretchen, she had placed +a dictionary near the basket, to see if Professor +would follow his double’s example +and so justify his name. When he awoke, +however, about four o’clock, he merely +jumped out of his bed on to the book, and +up to Dorothy’s lap, where he went to sleep +again.</p> + +<p>“Good ole pup!” Dorothy rubbed his +smooth, warm head between his ears. “You +show your intelligence by using the dictionary +as a stepping stone to better things, +don’t you, Prof!”</p> + +<p>She yawned, closed her book, and +promptly went to sleep again herself.</p> + +<p>She awoke with a start, to find Mrs. Lawson +smiling down at her. Tunbridge was +laying the tea-things on a table at the other +side of the fire. “Well, my dear,” the lady +said, her eyes on the fox terrier, “I see +you’ve found a new friend.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes, isn’t he just too darling? I +found him out in the blizzard, he was half +frozen and almost starved!” She went on +to tell Mrs. Lawson about it.</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid I’m not very fond of animals, +Janet.” Dorothy noticed that she did not +attempt to touch the puppy. “I don’t dislike +them, you understand, but somehow +they never seem to like me.”</p> + +<p>“That’s too bad,” said Dorothy. “I do +hope you won’t mind my keeping him—at +least until we learn who his owner is?”</p> + +<p>Laura Lawson looked doubtful. “Well, +I don’t mind. But—this is Doctor Winn’s +house, you know, and his decision, after all, +is the one that counts. You will have to ask +him about keeping the dog, Janet.”</p> + +<p>“Is Doctor Winn going to have tea with +us, Mrs. Lawson?”</p> + +<p>“He most certainly is, my dear. That is, +if you ladies will pour him a cup.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy glanced up, and beside her +stood an old gentleman, very tall and spare, +but bowed with the weight of his years. +She knew that the scientist was well over +eighty. Catching up the fox terrier, she +rose to her feet.</p> + +<p>“How do you do, Doctor Winn?” She +smiled and offered him her hand.</p> + +<p>The old gentleman bent over it with +courtly grace. “Good afternoon, Miss +Janet Jordan. Welcome to Winncote.” +Merry gray eyes twinkled at her from behind +pince-nez attached to a broad black +ribbon. An aristocrat of the old school, +Dorothy thought, as she studied his handsome, +clean shaven face crisscrossed with +the tiny wrinkles of advanced age. She had +imagined him to be quite a different sort of +person. His next words proved that he +read her thoughts.</p> + +<p>“You expected to see a musty old fellow, +with a long white beard, wearing a smock +stained by chemicals, eh?” He chuckled +softly. “Now, tell me, young lady, isn’t +that so? Though I admit these flannel +slacks and old Norfolk jacket are hardly +fashionable habiliments when one is taking +tea with ladies!”</p> + +<p>He released her hand and smiled a greeting +to Mrs. Lawson. The second footman, +he of the plum-colored knee-breeches, set +the tea table before that young matron, +under the supervision of the stately Tunbridge.</p> + +<p>Dorothy liked this gallant old scientist +and his courtly ways. Her own eyes +sparkled gaily back at him. “Yes, you did +surprise me, Doctor Winn,” she confessed. +“Please don’t think I’m being forward, but—but +you seem much more like the English +fox-hunting squires I’ve read about, +than the world-renowned chemist you +really are, with stacks of letters after your +name. But ever so much nicer, and jollier, +you know!”</p> + +<p>Doctor Winn beamed. “Now that, my +dear, is a most charming compliment. Old +fellows like me aren’t used to compliments +from young ladies, either. Do sit down +again, please, and tell me how you like +Winncote and our New England snowstorms. +We old people need young folks +around. I can see that we are going to be +good friends.”</p> + +<p>He sat down in a chair the butler drew +up for him.</p> + +<p>“Mrs. Lawson will tell you,” replied +Dorothy, “that I love it out here in the +country.” She accepted a cup of tea from +Tunbridge and added sugar and a slice of +lemon. The butler was followed by his +liveried assistant, bearing silver platters of +hot, buttered scones and tiny iced cakes. +Professor immediately began to show interest +in the proceedings. Dorothy held +him firmly out of harm’s way, and placed +her tea and eatables on the broad arm of +her chair.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lawson looked up from her place +behind the shining silver and old china of +the tea table. She smiled graciously. “Oh, +yes, Janet loves blizzards, too, Doctor +Winn. She went out for a walk this afternoon +and acquired a fox terrier puppy, as +you see.”</p> + +<p>“And naturally, she wants to keep him.” +The old gentleman leaned forward in his +chair, the better to look at Professor. “You +certainly may, Janet. And by the way, I +hope you’ll agree that it’s an old man’s +privilege to call you by your first name?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, that is sweet of you!” Dorothy +cried delightedly, and the Doctor’s chuckle +echoed her pleasure.</p> + +<p>“The dog’s got a fine head—a very fine +head, indeed. If anybody advertises for +him, or comes to claim him, I’ll take pleasure +in buying the puppy for you.”</p> + +<p>“Why, you’re nicer every minute,” declared +Dorothy. “Isn’t he, Professor?”</p> + +<p>The pup yawned with great indifference, +which set all three of them laughing. His +mistress put him in his blanket where he +promptly curled up and fell into slumber +once more.</p> + +<p>“I sadly fear,” said Doctor Winn, as he +polished his pince-nez with a white silk +handkerchief, “that you are a good deal of +a flirt Janet. But inasmuch as I am old +enough to be your grandfather, or great-grandfather, +for that matter, you are pardoned +with a reprimand.” He chuckled +deep in his throat, a habit he had when +pleased. “Now tell me, how you happened +to find him out in the snow.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy recounted the story in detail. +When she came to the part about Gretchen’s +fear of the wildcat and the fox, even +Mrs. Lawson, who was none too sure she +liked the turn things were taking, broke +into a merry peal of laughter.</p> + +<p>“Capital, capital!” Doctor Winn +beamed. “I only wish I’d been there to see +it. But why, may I ask, do you call him +Professor?”</p> + +<p>Dorothy explained about the dictionary +and Gretchen’s idea of the pup’s resemblance +to Dorothea Gutmann’s fox terrier.</p> + +<p>“Better and better,” exclaimed the Doctor. +“This is the jolliest tea we’ve had in +this house for ages. We need young people +around us to be really happy. You and I +and Martin, Laura, have been working too +hard of late. ‘All work and no play’—We’ve +been bothering too much about +things scientific, and neglecting things personal. +Well now, we can rest a while, and +become human beings again.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lawson leaned forward eagerly. +“Then, the formula is complete?” she +asked in a low voice, in which Dorothy detected +the barely controlled tremor of excitement.</p> + +<p>“Yes, indeed. Finished and locked in +my safe. I added the final figures and quantities +three-quarters of an hour ago. Tomorrow, +or if the weather doesn’t clear by +then, the next day at latest, I shall take it on +to Washington.”</p> + +<p>“I congratulate you, Doctor. And I +know that once it is in the hands of the +government, a great load will be taken off +your mind.”</p> + +<p>“You’re right, my dear, you are right. +I’ve been jumpy as a cat with eight of its +lives gone for the past year.” He turned +to Dorothy. “Thank goodness, you’re +young and without responsibilities, Janet. +There are so many unscrupulous people +about nowadays. If those papers were lost +or stolen, there is no telling what would +happen. I dare not think of it. The whole +world might suffer if that formula got into +the wrong hands!”</p> + +<p>Dorothy could not help thinking that the +world at large would be much better off if +the formula were destroyed. She, therefore, +merely nodded and looked impressed. +How this gentle, kindly old man could have +brought himself to invent such a ghastly +menace to life, she found it difficult to +understand.</p> + +<p>Laura Lawson stood up. “Doctor Winn +likes to dine early, Janet, so if we are to be +dressed by six-thirty, we had better start upstairs.”</p> + +<p>“My word, yes!” The old gentleman +snapped open the hunting case of his repeater and got stiffly to his feet. “Time flies +when one is enjoying oneself. It’s nearly +six o’clock. This has been very pleasant indeed, +the first of many afternoons, I hope.” +He snapped the watch shut and returned it +to his pocket. “You ladies will excuse me, +I’m sure.” He bowed to them both, and +holding himself much more erect than he +had formerly, walked stiffly from the room.</p> + +<p>“He’s simply darling,” exclaimed Dorothy +in a hushed voice.</p> + +<p>“Yes, he’s a very simple and a very fine +old gentleman,” said Laura Lawson. She +seemed lost in her thoughts and evidently +unaware that she uttered them aloud. +“Sometimes—I hate to hurt him so.”</p> + +<p>“Why—why, what do you mean?” Dorothy +could have bitten her own tongue out +for speaking that sentence.</p> + +<p>“Mean—? Oh, nothing, child. Run +along now, and change. But take your +dog with you. I’ll see that one of the men +gives him a run in the stables while we’re at +dinner.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you very much,” said Dorothy. +She turned the sleeping pup out of his bed, +caught up the basket, and with Professor at +her heels, ran lightly from the room.</p> + +<p>Just outside the door she collided with +Tunbridge, and Professor’s basket was +jerked from her grasp.</p> + +<p>“Oh, I’m so very sorry, Miss Jordan!” +His acting was perfect. Dorothy knew that +Mrs. Lawson was close behind them. Then +as they both stooped to retrieve the basket +their heads came close together. “Under +your pillow!” It was hardly more than the +breath of a whisper, but Dorothy caught +the words, nodded her understanding, and +stood up.</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid I’m to blame, Tunbridge. I +didn’t see you coming.”</p> + +<p>“Not at all, Miss. It was my fault, entirely. +Very clumsy of me I’m sure!”</p> + +<p>From the corner of her eye Dorothy +caught a glimpse of Laura Lawson watching +them from the doorway.</p> + +<p>“Don’t let it worry you, Tunbridge. I’m +not hurt, neither is the basket. Professor +will probably park himself on my <em>pillow</em> +tonight, anyway. Puppies have a way of +doing such things, you know. So it really +wouldn’t matter much if you had smashed +it.”</p> + +<p>She gave him a nod, and picking up the +dog made for the staircase.</p> + +<p>“So instructions are waiting under my +pillow,” she mused, as she slowly mounted +the broad stair. The afternoon had been a +pleasant one, but the evening, with those +instructions ahead of her, portended to be +something quite different. It had been so +nice and cheerful, chatting round the tea +table; so cozy sitting before the glowing +logs, just talking of jolly things and forgetting +all worry and responsibility. Of +course, beyond the curtained windows, the +blizzard howled. And it whipped the +swirling snowflakes into disordered clouds +with its arctic lash before it let them seek +the shelter of their fellows in the drifts. She +felt very much as though she too were a +snowflake, tossed hither and thither on the +storm of circumstance, to be whipped forward +by the secret lash of underlying crime.</p> + +<p>If she could only drop down on to her +bed and sleep—and awake to find it all a +bad dream! She sighed and went toward +her door on the gallery. Her pillow held +no peace for her tonight—nothing more +nor less than detailed instructions as to how +Tunbridge wished her to rob a safe. Why +didn’t the man do his own stealing? Her +part was to take Janet’s place out here, and +kill suspicion in Laura Lawson. Well, +she’d done that, hadn’t she? And now they +loaded this other job on to her. It wasn’t +fair. She had done enough—she’d—</p> + +<p>“Oh, shucks!” She pulled herself up +mentally as her hand fell on the doorknob. +“I’ll be losing my nerve altogether, if I let +my thoughts run on this way. D. Dixon, +you just <em>must not</em> funk it!”</p> + +<p>She turned the knob and entered her +room.</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch16' class='break'>Chapter XVI<br /><br />CAUGHT IN THE ACT</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>When Dorothy went down to dinner that +evening, she knew exactly what she had to +do. After reading Tunbridge’s note which +she found had been slipped between the +pillow case and the pillow itself, she had +memorized the combination to Doctor +Winn’s safe, and destroyed the missive as +she had his warning of the night before. +After a bath and a complete change of +clothing, she felt refreshed and in a much +better frame of mind. She had selected one +of the prettiest gowns in Janet’s wardrobe, +a turquoise blue crepe, with a cluster of +silver roses fastened in the twisted velvet +girdle, put on slippers to match, and surveyed +the result in the mirror.</p> + +<p>“Decidedly becoming, my girl,” she +smiled at her reflection, and gave a last pat +to her shining bob that she had brushed +until it lay like a bronze cap close about her +shapely head. “Might as well look my best +at my criminal debut!” She made a face +at herself, turned and kissed the sleeping +puppy in his basket, and went downstairs.</p> + +<p>Doctor Winn and Mrs. Lawson were +standing talking in the entrance hall, near +the fireplace. The old gentleman, dressed +in immaculate dinner clothes, looked more +than ever like the English squire in his ancestral +hall. He came forward to meet her, +both hands outstretched.</p> + +<p>“As charming as an English primrose +and twice as beautiful!” he greeted gaily.</p> + +<p>“Thank you kindly, sir.” She dropped +him a little curtsey and let him lead her to +Mrs. Lawson.</p> + +<p>“Our little secretary has blossomed into +a very lovely debutante,” he beamed.</p> + +<p>Dorothy bit her lip, remembering her +own phrase of a few moments before, then +smiled at her employer. Mrs. Lawson was +regal in black velvet, trimmed in narrow +bands of ermine. She returned Dorothy’s +smile, and lifted her finely pencilled brows +at the Doctor. “Oh, you men. You are all +alike. A pretty gown, a pretty face intrigues +you, young or old. Pay no attention +to his flattery, Janet. I can hardly +blame him, though. You look lovely tonight. +That is an exquisite frock. Did you +buy it abroad?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, no, at a little place on fifty-seventh +street.” Of course Dorothy had no idea +where Janet had bought the dress. “It is a +Paris model, though, Mrs. Lawson.”</p> + +<p>“I thought as much. Ah, here comes +Tunbridge with the cocktails. I wonder +which side of the fence you are on?”</p> + +<p>“I’m—I’m afraid I don’t know quite +what you mean, Mrs. Lawson.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll explain,” broke in the old gentleman. +“I’m the prohibitionist in this house, +Janet. Mrs. Lawson is one of the antis. +She likes a real cocktail before dinner. I +prefer one made of tomato juice.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lawson had already helped herself +to a brimming glass and a small canapé of +caviar from the silver tray Tunbridge was +holding.</p> + +<p>“Oh, I love tomato cocktails,” smiled +Dorothy. She took one from the man and +helped herself to the caviar. “Daddy asked +me not to drink until I was twenty-one—and +I’m not so keen on the idea, anyway.”</p> + +<p>“I try to keep an open mind about such +things,” the Doctor said seriously, “but +I’ve never found that the use of alcohol did +anyone any good. Well, here’s your very +good health, ladies!” He raised his glass +of tomato juice and drank.</p> + +<p>Dinner was announced a few minutes +later. Doctor Winn offered his right arm +to Mrs. Lawson and his left to Dorothy and +they walked into the dining room. Dorothy +did not enjoy that meal as much as she +had her luncheon. True, the food was +delicious and the panelled room with its +cheerful fire on the hearth and the soft glow +of candle light was delightfully homey, +while Doctor Winn’s easy chatter and fund +of interesting reminiscence helped to break +the tedium of the courses. But Dorothy +found it difficult to play up to his amusing +sallies. The old gentleman appeared to be +in very good spirits indeed. Laura Lawson, +on the other hand, was unusually quiet. +At times she seemed distrait and merely +smiled absently when spoken to. She +drank several glasses of claret, but hardly +touched her food. Dorothy felt surer than +ever that the Lawsons had planned their +coup for tonight. She shrewdly surmised +that this cold-blooded adventuress had become +fond of the genial, fatherly old man, +and realized that at his age the blow she +contemplated might very well prove a fatal +one.</p> + +<p>As the dinner wore on, Dorothy felt +more and more ill at ease. The sight of +Tunbridge, soft-footed and efficient, waiting +on table or superintending his satellite +of the plum-colored kneebreeches, sent her +thoughts to the night’s work ahead every +time the detective-butler came into the +room. She was glad when at last the meal +was over and they repaired to the library +where after-dinner coffee was served. +Dorothy rarely drank coffee in the evening, +but tonight she allowed Tunbridge to fill +her cup a second time. There must be no +sleep for her until the wee hours of the +morning, and she knew from former experience +that the black coffee would keep +her awake.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lawson, after wandering aimlessly +about the room, finally picked up a technical +magazine and commenced to read. +Doctor Winn suggested a game of chess +to Dorothy. She was fond of the ancient +game and told him so. Many a tournament +she and her father had played with +their red and white ivory chessmen. Dr. +Winn was a brilliant player, of long experience. +Soon he began to compliment +Dorothy upon a number of strategic +moves. But although several times she +managed to place his king in check, it was +invariably her own royal chessman who +was checkmated in the end. As the evening +wore on, the beatings became more frequent, +for Dorothy simply could not keep +her mind on the game.</p> + +<p>For a while she sat watching the log fire +and talking to the Doctor in a desultory +way while Mrs. Lawson continued to read. +Then as the grandfather clock chimed ten, +Laura Lawson laid down her magazine +and stood up.</p> + +<p>“I think I’ll go to bed now, if you don’t +mind.” The half stifled yawn, sheer camouflage +thought Dorothy, was nevertheless +a masterpiece of deception. “I’ve a bit +of a headache, so I’ll say good night.”</p> + +<p>Doctor Winn and Dorothy got to their +feet. “I’m for bed myself,” announced the +old gentleman, “and in spite of the coffee +you drank after dinner, I know you’re +sleepy, Janet. Your chess playing toward +the end proved it.” His eyes twinkled at +her. “But in storm or clear weather, +there’s nothing like the air of this Connecticut +Ridge Country to make one eat +and sleep. By the way, Laura, when do +you expect Martin?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I forgot to tell you, Doctor—he +won’t be back tonight. He phoned me +from town just before dinner, that on account +of the blizzard, he had decided to +stay in until tomorrow. If you need him +sooner, he said to call up the Roosevelt. +He always stops there, you know.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, yes, but I shan’t need him, thank +you.” He turned to Dorothy. “The railroad +has taken upon itself to discontinue +all service to Ridgefield,” he explained. +“Branchville is our nearest station, and +driving will be difficult tonight. There +must be very deep drifts by this time.”</p> + +<p>“I should think it would be mighty unpleasant +to get stuck out in a blizzard like +this. I’m glad I don’t have to go out into it. +But in a way I’m thankful for the snow, because +we ought to have a white Christmas, +and it’s ever so much more fun.”</p> + +<p>“Bless my soul! I’d entirely forgotten +that Christmas comes next week. Well, +this year we must celebrate the Yuletide in +the good old fashioned way. Thank you, +Janet, for reminding me.”</p> + +<p>Good nights were said, and a few minutes +later Dorothy was again alone in the +Pink Bedroom. Or so she thought, as she +entered. But at once she noticed that a +single shaded wall-light sent a pleasant +glow from the bay window, and curled up +in the cushioned recess, Gretchen was reading.</p> + +<p>Dorothy stopped short in surprise and +the girl sprang to her feet. “Oh, Miss—Miss +Jordan, Mr. Tunbridge told me to +come and help you undress and get ready +for the night. Of course I didn’t know if +you would want me—” then she added in a +whisper, “but he thought you might be sort +of blue and I could cheer you up, I guess.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy smiled at Gretchen’s pretty, +earnest face. “Why, of course I want you, +Gretchen. Tunbridge is very thoughtful. +I’ve never had the luxury of a personal +maid and I don’t know that I’ll ever feel +helpless enough to need one! But if you +want to stay and talk, I’d love it.”</p> + +<p>“But I can help you, too,” Gretchen insisted. +“I’m not really a trained maid, you +know, but Nanette—that’s Mrs. Lawson’s +French maid—has been teaching me. Gee, +I’d certainly love to be <em>your</em> personal maid, +Miss Jordan.”</p> + +<p>“Well, you may be, some day, who +knows?” she laughed. “But you can help +me tonight, though there’ll be no bed for +me until much later.”</p> + +<p>Gretchen, who was arranging the pillows +and smoothing the covers on the bed, +turned her head sharply. “Secret Service +Work?” she queried in an excited whisper.</p> + +<p>Dorothy nodded and tossed her dress on +to a chair. She continued speaking in a +tone just above a whisper. “At twelve +o’clock tonight I’ve got to go downstairs +and commit justifiable burglary in Doctor +Winn’s office. The real thief will be along +later—at least, I hope so, for everybody’s +sake. In the meantime I want you to do +something for me—will you?”</p> + +<p>“I sure will, miss—gee, this is exciting!”</p> + +<p>“Don’t let it cramp your style.” Dorothy +laughed, and pulling off her stocking, +she handed Gretchen the packet of thin +paper, the manuscript on “Winnite” that +she had typed that morning. “When you +finish up in here, I want you to find Mr. +Tunbridge and give him these papers. +You’d better pin it inside your uniform +now, and be very careful that nobody sees +you giving it to him.”</p> + +<p>“You can trust me,” declared Gretchen, +and she put the papers safely within her +dress. “Is Mr. Tunbridge really a detective?”</p> + +<p>“He certainly is, Gretchen.”</p> + +<p>“I’d never have guessed it if you hadn’t +told me. But then, I suppose not looking +like one makes him all the better?”</p> + +<p>“That’s the idea.” Dorothy put Janet’s +quilted satin dressing gown on over her +pajamas. “Now that I’m ready for bed, +and you’ve put all my clothes away so +nicely, I think you’d better run along, +Gretchen. Not,” she amended, “that I +wouldn’t love to talk to you while I’m waiting +for twelve o’clock, but we must not let +certain people in this house get wise to our +friendship.”</p> + +<p>“And Mrs. Lawson is one awful snoopy +lady,” Gretchen observed candidly. “Well, +good night, Miss Jordan. Thank you a lot +for letting me in on this. I’ll see that Mr. +Tunbridge gets your papers all right. +Good night—and take care of yourself.” +She stood before Dorothy with an anxious +frown on her honest brow. “I sure do wish +you the very best luck!”</p> + +<p>Dorothy grinned. “Thank you. I certainly +need it. Good night.”</p> + +<p>The door closed upon the little maid and +Dorothy looked at her wrist watch. It was +ten minutes to eleven. For a time she sat +on the edge of her bed and stared unseeingly +at the rug under her feet. Presently +she got up, locked her door, turned off her +lights and went over to the window. She +drew aside the curtains and was surprised +to see that it had stopped snowing. There +was no moon, but what sky she could see +was fairly a-crackle with stars. The heavy +blanket of snow looked silver in the starlight. +A remote world and cold. Dorothy +allowed the curtains to drop back into +place, and sat down on the window seat. +Lost in thoughts pleasant and unpleasant, +she sat there for the next hour, while the +faint noises of the big house gradually subsided +into stillness.</p> + +<p>At exactly five minutes to twelve, Dorothy +raised the window, letting in the cold +night air. Then she turned off the heat and +got into bed. After lying there for possibly +a minute, she threw back the covers, +thrust her feet into the fur-lined slippers +she had left at the bedside and moved like a +dim shadow to the closet.</p> + +<p>It was crowded with Janet’s suits, coats +and frocks, and she was careful not to disturb +them on their hangers, as she pushed +between them in the darkness to the rear +wall and pressed her foot on the board in +the corner. The panel slid upward with a +noiselessness that spoke for well-oiled machinery +somewhere in the walls. Dorothy +stepped cautiously through the opening. +Her fingers sought the handle to this sliding +door, found it, and she pulled the panel +down again.</p> + +<p>Then for the first time she made use of +the small flashlight which she carried in +the pocket of her gown. She saw that she +was standing on the top step of a narrow +circular stair that wound downward. Off +went her light again—she was taking no +unnecessary chances tonight—and with +her hand on the metal handrail, she felt her +way slowly down the stair, holding her free +hand well in advance of her body.</p> + +<p>When her extended fingers touched +a wall that blocked further progress, she +felt with a slippered foot out to the right. +The board gave slightly, the wall panel +moved upward and she stepped forth to +find herself in the great fireplace of the entrance +hall, just beyond the embers of the +dying logs. The hall was illuminated in +the dim glow of a night light in the ceiling. +As she turned to pull down the sliding +shutter, there came a streak of white from +the dark passage and Professor bounded +into the hall.</p> + +<p>Dorothy was completely startled, and +just as exasperated as she could be. She +could not call him, for the slightest sound +might bring the wakeful enemy to the spot. +The pup, after his long sleep, was playful, +and scampered about madly, his bright eyes +watching her every move. She attempted +to catch him, but he eluded her with an +agility that made her still more angry. He +seemed to think that this was a splendid +game, raced across the floor in high glee, +but ever watchful to keep beyond her +reach.</p> + +<p>Dorothy gave it up as a bad job. She +dared not pursue him too determinedly, for +fear he would bark. She pulled down the +sliding shutter in the fireplace, and leaving +Professor to his frolic, hurried on to the +door of Doctor Winn’s office.</p> + +<p>Inside the room with the door shut, her +flashlight came into play for the second +time. It took her but a moment with the +memorized combination at her fingertips +to open the safe. The door was surprisingly +heavy, but at last the interior of the small +vault came within her line of vision. From +a drawer she took a folded sheet of white +paper. Out of her pocket came a pencil +and another sheet of paper. In an amazingly +short time she copied the formula and +replaced the original in the safe drawer. +She tucked the copy into the fur lining of +her slipper under her bare foot. Then suddenly +she sprang up.</p> + +<p>Her heart leaped into her throat. In the +corridor just outside there came the sound +of a footstep. There was no time to do +more than shut off her torch and drop it, together +with her pencil, into the waste paper +basket. The door opened, lights flashed +on, and Martin Lawson walked into the +room.</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch17' class='break'>Chapter XVII<br /><br />PROFESSOR MAKES GOOD</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>In that moment, Dorothy knew what she +must do. A shiver ran over her slender +frame and she blinked as though partly +awakened by the flash of lights. Then, +with eyes wide open and staring straight +ahead, she slowly walked toward Martin +Lawson and the open doorway.</p> + +<p>“<em>Stop!</em>”</p> + +<p>The command, though low, was uttered +in a tone of deadly menace, and Dorothy +saw the blue-black muzzle of an automatic +revolver pointed at her heart. She stopped +on the instant, but continued to stare +straight ahead without change of expression. +She noted that he wore a soft felt hat +pulled over his eyes and a heavy ulster with +its broad collar turned up half hiding the +lower part of his face. His high arctics +bore traces of melting snow.</p> + +<p>“Sleepwalking, eh! Well, I don’t believe +it.” His sharp eyes took in the open +door of the safe. “Snap out of that +playacting and tell me what you are doing +here!”</p> + +<p>Dorothy did not move a muscle.</p> + +<p>Without warning, he grasped her wrist +and jerked her savagely toward him. She +screamed and went limp in his arms. Lawson +clapped a hand over her mouth.</p> + +<p>“So you’re up to your old tricks again, +Martin!”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lawson, fully dressed, and wearing +a three-quarters mink coat and brown felt +cloche, appeared in the open doorway. +“So our little sleepwalker interrupted a +very pretty piece of double-crossing!” She +pointed toward the safe.</p> + +<p>Lawson flung the weeping girl into an +arm chair where she lay apparently half +stunned and shaking in every limb.</p> + +<p>“Double-cross, nothing!” he snapped at +his wife. “How do you get that way, +Laura? I came in here just now and found +Janet in the room.”</p> + +<p>“Was she at the safe?”</p> + +<p>“No, she wasn’t. She was standing in +the middle of the floor. Making her getaway +without a doubt when I turned on the +lights.”</p> + +<p>“Why do you pretend Janet opened the +safe? The Doctor, you and I are the only +ones who know the combination. Laugh +that off if you can, my dear!”</p> + +<p>They were both fast losing their tempers.</p> + +<p>“Combination or no combination, the +safe was open when I got here,” he snarled. +“She was after the formula, of course. That +father of hers is in back of it. That Irishman +is the double-crosser—and how! +Figured on working Winnite into his +racket without coughing up a cent for it, +either. Call me a sucker if you like, Laura. +I qualify, and so do you, for that matter. +The other stuff’s the bunk.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy stopped her pretended crying +and lay back as though utterly exhausted. +She knew Tunbridge must be up and +about. What in the world could the man +be doing?</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lawson who seemed to be weighing +matters, slowly unbuttoned her coat. +“If you are so blameless,” she said coldly +to her husband, “How do you happen to be +here at all? Your part of the job was to +bring up the car—or the plane, if it had +stopped snowing.”</p> + +<p>“Well, it’s no longer snowing, my dear, +and the plane is just where it should be. I +got tired of waiting, that’s why. Thought +there must be a slip-up. You were due out +there half an hour ago.”</p> + +<p>“And I would have been,” said Laura +Lawson evenly, “if that secret service fool +hadn’t been snooping outside my door.”</p> + +<p>“Tunbridge?”</p> + +<p>“Who else!”</p> + +<p>“What did you do—croak him?”</p> + +<p>“No, I didn’t. He’s not worth burning +for.”</p> + +<p>As they talked, the two dropped their +artificial cloaks of refinement as if they +had never been.</p> + +<p>“It’s hanging in this state,” sneered +Martin.</p> + +<p>“What’s the difference! I rang for him, +instead. When he knocked on the door, I +opened up and beaned him with the poker. +He’ll wake up tomorrow with a headache, +but I dragged him into my room and tied +him up, just to make sure.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy’s heart sank to the very soles of +her bare feet.</p> + +<p>“Atta girl!” cheered Lawson. “That’s +the way! And look here, Laura. Just to +prove I’m on the straight with you—go +over and frisk that kid yourself. She’s got +the paper.”</p> + +<p>“Thanks—I intended to.” Mrs. Lawson +threw a grim smile at her husband and +turned to Dorothy. “Pass it over, Janet.”</p> + +<p>“But, really, Mrs. Lawson! I don’t +know what you’re talking about—”</p> + +<p>The woman cut her short. “Stand up +and come here!”</p> + +<p>Dorothy reluctantly obeyed. “I haven’t +any paper,” she protested. “All I know is +that I woke up just now and found Mr. +Lawson—”</p> + +<p>“Hold your tongue!” snapped Mrs. +Lawson, and after exploring Dorothy’s +empty pockets, ran her fingers over the +quilted gown and the girl’s pajamas. In +the midst of her search, Professor, still +playful, bounded into the room and stood +watching them expectantly.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lawson stepped back. “She hasn’t +got it, Martin.” Her tone was acid. “What +a hard-boiled liar you are, anyway!”</p> + +<p>“Hard-boiled, if you like—but no liar.” +He strode to the safe and thrust his hand inside. +“Here it is,” he called, and held up +the paper. “I must have got here before +she could nab it.”</p> + +<p>Laura Lawson eyed him appraisingly. +“Didn’t you say Janet was in the middle of +the room when you switched on the light?”</p> + +<p>“Sure—she heard me coming, of +course.”</p> + +<p>“If Janet heard you coming, why didn’t +she swing the door shut? Don’t try to pull +that stuff on me, Martin. Even if the girl +knows the combination she couldn’t open +that safe in the dark. Why lie about the +business? I know you opened it yourself—and +what’s more, while I’ve been wasting +time arguing with you and searching +Janet, the formula was in your pocket the +whole time—that is, until you pretended to +take it out of the safe, just now!”</p> + +<p>Martin Lawson’s hard and cruel mouth +twisted into a crooked smile. “The world +is full of liars,” he said equably, “but your +husband doesn’t play that kind of a racket, +Laura—anyway, not to you.”</p> + +<p>“Then prove it by giving me that paper!” +his wife held out her hand.</p> + +<p>“Nothing doing, Sweetheart. The formula +will be perfectly safe with me.”</p> + +<p>He started to put it in an inside pocket, +when Laura Lawson sprang for the paper. +She grasped his wrist. There was a tussle +and the folded sheet fell to the floor. Professor, +seated on his haunches and very interested +in these exciting proceedings, dove +forward and snapped it up. For half a moment +he shook the paper as though he took +it for a new species of rat. Then as they +went for him, he darted between Martin’s +legs and scampered out of the room.</p> + +<p>“You big goop!” flared his wife. “Why +didn’t you pot the cur!”</p> + +<p>She rushed out of the room after Professor +while Martin stared rather stupidly at +the gun in his hand. Suddenly his eyes took +on a particularly hard glint and he swung +round on Dorothy.</p> + +<p>“This,” he rasped, “is the second time +you’ve got me in wrong with my wife, Miss +Janet Jordan. And there just ain’t going +to be no third time, kid!”</p> + +<p>“Wha—what are you going to do, Mr. +Lawson?” She was still playing the terrified, +innocent Janet, but she no longer +feared the man. During the Lawsons’ +struggle, she had prepared herself for +something like this. She had also shifted +her position and was standing near the +open door, now several yards away.</p> + +<p>“You’re going to answer my questions, +Janet—and answer them truthfully, or +you’ll do your sleepwalking in another +world after this.” He menaced her with +the automatic, “It’s the bunk, isn’t it? The +sleepwalking, I mean.”</p> + +<p>“It sure is, Mr. du Val!” drawled Dorothy +with a sweet smile.</p> + +<p>Lawson was thoroughly surprised and +looked it. “Yes—it naturally would be, +seeing you know who I really am.”</p> + +<p>“And all about you.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, you do, eh? You were awake, of +course, at the meeting?”</p> + +<p>“Not me—Janet Jordan.”</p> + +<p>“What do you mean—not you—Janet +Jordan?”</p> + +<p>“I mean that certain people have been +making fools of you and your wife, Mr. +du Val.”</p> + +<p>“Is that so! In what way, may I ask?”</p> + +<p>“Why, you see, I’m not Janet Jordan.”</p> + +<p>“Not Janet Jordan!”</p> + +<p>“I wish,” said Dorothy, “you wouldn’t +echo my words. No, I am not—most decidedly, +not Janet Jordan, although even +you have guessed by this time that I look +like her. We changed places on you, big +boy! Night before last, just before you +came into Janet’s room with her father, +Janet was climbing out the window when +you knocked the first time. It was rather +embarrassing.”</p> + +<p>“It’s going to be even more embarrassing +for you in a moment or two, Miss Not +Janet Jordan! You know too much to live. +Who in thunderation are you—a government +dick?”</p> + +<p>“That’s right, big boy. I also happen +to be Janet’s double cousin.”</p> + +<p>“You’re her double, I’ll voucher that,” +agreed du Val alias Lawson. “And all this +high-hat cockiness ain’t going to do you +one little bit of good. What’s the moniker, +kid? Make it snappy, I’m pressed for +time.”</p> + +<p>“Dorothy Dixon’s my name. And—meet +Flash!” Her right hand gave a quick +twist and Martin Lawson dropped the exploding +automatic with a scream of mingled +rage and pain. She sprang for the revolver, +covered the man and retrieved the +knife from the floor just behind him. “Sit +down over there!” She pointed to a chair. +“You’re not really hurt, you know. Flash +only skinned your knuckles. Better tie +them up in your handkerchief though. +You’re ruining the rug.”</p> + +<p>Gretchen’s blond head peered round the +door frame. “Oh, Dorothy!” she shrilled, +and rushed into the room. “Are you hurt? +Did he wound you?” She flung herself on +her friend in a frenzy of fright and hysterics.</p> + +<p>From the hall came Laura Lawson’s +voice. “Martin!” she called. “They’re +out in front of the house. They’ve got the +car! Hurry!”</p> + +<p>Lawson wasted no time. While Dorothy +struggled with the excited Gretchen, he +nipped out of the room and was gone.</p> + +<p>“That tears it!” cried Miss Dixon, freeing +herself from the little maid’s embrace, +and she dove into the passage.</p> + +<p>Under the gallery she stopped short. +There was nobody in sight, but from the +staircase came two sharp detonations of a +revolver which were answered by two more +from the dining room. Then as she moved +warily forward, Bill Bolton ran into the +hall with Ashton Sanborn close at his heels. +Dorothy saw them disappear up the stairs +and ran after them.</p> + +<p>At the top of the stairs she spied them +standing outside a bedroom door. She +hurried to join them. “Hello! Gone to +cover?”</p> + +<p>“You’re a great guesser, kid.” Bill +grinned and nodded.</p> + +<p>“Where’s Tunbridge?” asked Mr. Sanborn.</p> + +<p>Dorothy motioned toward the door. “In +there. He’s got a broken head and he’s tied +up into the bargain. Laura Lawson did +it. That’s her room.”</p> + +<p>“We’ve got to get the door down,” said +Bill, and he stepped back for a rush.</p> + +<p>“Just a sec, Bill!” Dorothy fired three +shots from Lawson’s automatic into the +lock.</p> + +<p>“Smart girl!” Ashton Sanborn opened +the door to disclose the detective-butler +bound and unconscious, lying on the floor. +Otherwise the room was empty of occupants. +“I thought as much,” muttered the +secret service man, while Dorothy ran to +Tunbridge and began to cut his bonds. +“They have beat it, all right!”</p> + +<p>“Secret passage?” This from Bill.</p> + +<p>“Yes, the walls are honeycombed with +them. But Tunbridge never learned the +secret of this room, poor fellow.”</p> + +<p>“Doctor Winn would know,” said Dorothy. +“His suite is right at the end of this +corridor. He must surely be awake with +all this racket going on.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll get him.” Mr. Sanborn was half +way to the door. “Look after Tunbridge, +you two. Better phone for a doctor.” He +was gone.</p> + +<p>Dorothy and Bill lifted the unconscious +man on to Mrs. Lawson’s bed. Then while +young Bolton undressed him, Dorothy telephoned. +She then gave Bill a hasty account +of the night’s happenings.</p> + +<p>“If Gretchen had only stayed put in her +room, I’d have caught Martin Lawson, +anyway,” she lamented.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Jordan and the bunch outside will +take care of that pair,” promised Bill. +“Fetch a wet towel from the bathroom. +This bird is breathing pretty hard.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy sped to obey, talking the while. +“Not Uncle Michael!” she called back in +astonishment.</p> + +<p>“Yep. Uncle Michael showed up in +Sanborn’s New York office this morning, +all on his own.”</p> + +<p>“What was he doing—wanting to turn +state’s evidence and peach on his pals?” +She brought in the wet towel and laid it +on Tunbridge’s hot forehead.</p> + +<p>“Nothing like that, kid.” Bill was grinning. +“Give another guess.”</p> + +<p>“Then he wasn’t really a member of that +gang with the numbers?”</p> + +<p>“Sure he was—in good standing, too.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, spill it, Bill! What do you think +I’m made of, anyway?”</p> + +<p>“Snips and snails and puppy dog’s tails,” +said Bill promptly.</p> + +<p>“Huh! The story book says ‘little boys’ +belong in that category. Come, Bill, out +with it!”</p> + +<p>“Well, then, cutie pie,—Uncle Michael +is a secret service man.”</p> + +<p>“And Ashton Sanborn didn’t know it! +Don’t talk rot, Bill!”</p> + +<p>“I’m not talking rot, Dorothy. Uncle +Michael happens to be in the British Secret +Service, that’s why!”</p> + +<p>“Ain’t that the nerts!” exploded Miss +Dixon.</p> + +<p>“You said it, kid! He got on to The +Nameless Ones—that’s what they call +themselves—over on the other side, in Europe, +you know—worked his way into their +confidence and joined up. Of course, with +his government’s sanction.”</p> + +<p>“And what were they up to?”</p> + +<p>“Out to blow up the world with Winnite, +I reckon. The Lawsons were to get +two million plunks for the formula. +Martie-boy was Number 1, by the way. +The whole thing was financed by the +Reds.”</p> + +<p>“Nice people! What’s being done +about it?”</p> + +<p>“Plenty,” returned Bill. “Mr. Jordan +brought in the goods—letters, confidential +papers of the organization, and that kind +of thing. All the ringleaders, both in this +country and abroad, have been apprehended +and jailed by this time.”</p> + +<p>“Except,” she suggested, “the du Vals, +alias Lawson.”</p> + +<p>“That’s right! Let’s go downstairs and +find out about them. Nothing more can +be done for Tunbridge until that doctor +shows up. He’s had hard luck all the way +round this evening. The Lawsons fooled +him nicely about the time—and then this +crack on the nut into the bargain!”</p> + +<p>“What do you mean—about the time?”</p> + +<p>“Why, he overheard the fair Laura telling +her hubby that they would vamoose at +two this morning, and that she would nab +the formula just before leaving. That’s +why Tunbridge specified midnight. He +thought that two hours leeway would have +been plenty of time for you.”</p> + +<p>“I ’spose they suspected him then, and +were just giving him the razz?”</p> + +<p>Bill nodded. “Q.E.D., old girl. You’re +learning, aren’t you?”</p> + +<p>Dorothy made a face at him and pushed +him out of the room. “By the way,” continued +Bill, as they entered the corridor, “I +wonder if Mrs. Lawson got the paper away +from Professor?”</p> + +<p>“She did not!” declared Dorothy. +“Look!”</p> + +<p>They paused on the stairs to view the +scene below in the entrance hall. Groups +of frightened servants whispered among +themselves and here and there a strange +man was posted, with somewhat of an air +of grim watchfulness. Crouched on the +hearth and chewing up the last shreds of +some white substance was the puppy.</p> + +<p>“The end of a perfect formula,” declared +Bill. “You’d better call the pup +Winnite. He’s full of it by this time. +Lucky you made the copy, Dorothy.”</p> + +<p>“It certainly is!” A voice spoke behind +them and they turned to see Ashton Sanborn +descending the broad stair. “Doctor +Winn tells me the passageway from +the Lawson woman’s room comes out into +the sunken gardens a quarter of a mile from +the house. And I distinctly heard the whirr +of an airplane just now from his open window. +They’ve made their getaway in fine +style by this time.”</p> + +<p>“Well—” Dorothy breathed a deep sigh. +“I can’t help being glad of it.”</p> + +<p>Bill stared at her. “Well!” he mimicked. +“I must say you have astonishing reactions!”</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter, my dear?” asked +Mr. Sanborn. “You’ve done brilliant +work on this case, and then, you know, +you’ve saved Winnite.”</p> + +<p>Dorothy was not impressed. “That’s +just it,” she retorted. “If I wasn’t a government +servant for the time being, I’d +destroy the copy of that terrible formula +myself. As it is, I’ve got to turn it over to +you!”</p> + +<p>Ashton Sanborn laid a fatherly hand on +her shoulder. “Fortunes of war, Dorothy. +Sorry, but you must, you know.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I know!” She took the sheet of +paper from her slipper and handed it to +him. “And that,” she announced grimly, +“spoils all the fun on this racket.”</p> + +<p class='c006'> </p> +<h2 id='ch18' class='break'>Chapter XVIII<br /><br />THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT</h2> +<p class='c001'> </p> + +<p>Christmas eve was, as Dorothy had predicted, +a starry night of frost and blanketing +snow. Red candles twinkled in every +holly-wreathed window of the Dixon home, +and a large fir tree before the house +glittered with colored Christmas lights.</p> + +<p>If old Saint Nick had peeped into the +dining room windows, he would have seen +a merry company standing round the dinner +table, gay with the crimson-berried +holly and waxy mistletoe. At the head of +the table stood Dorothy, appropriately and +becomingly dressed in ruby-red velvet. On +her right there was an empty place, and +beyond it, old Doctor Winn, a boutonniere +of holly in the lapel of his dinner coat; Mr. +Bolton, Bill’s father, was next down the +table, and just beyond stood Ashton Sanborn. +Facing Dorothy at the other end, +her father chatted with a bright-eyed Gretchen, +who had Bill on her right. Next to +Bill came Doctor Winn’s ex-butler, John +Tunbridge, looking none the worse for his +part in the mixup of the fatal night. Beyond +Tunbridge stood Dorothy’s Uncle +Michael, and then another empty chair.</p> + +<p>“Just a moment, Dorothy,” said her +father as she was about to sit down. “We’ve +a surprise for you.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, are there more people coming?” +She indicated the extra places to her right +and left. “I thought our party was as nearly +complete as possible. Of course it would +have been swell if Janet and Howard could +have been with us.”</p> + +<p>“Dum—dum—de dum!” hummed Bill, +beating time with his hand like an orchestra +conductor. From the drawing room a +piano crashed into the opening chords of +Wagner’s beautiful wedding march.</p> + +<p>“Here Comes the Bride ...” sang the +guests at table, and Dorothy’s heart +skipped a beat.</p> + +<p>Through the curtained doorway, walked +a blushing girl, leaning on the arm of a tall +young man. She wore a bridal gown of +white satin, and her smiling face, below +the draped tulle veil, was the exact counterpart +of the astonished girl at the head of +the table.</p> + +<p>“Janet! Howard!” Dorothy ran to them +and was caught in her cousin’s arms. +“Where under the sun did you come from? +I thought you sailed for South America +last week!”</p> + +<p>“That,” said Howard, grinning broadly, +“is a surprise that Mr. Sanborn sprang on +us the day after we were married. He persuaded +me to give up the South American +job and got me a much better one with Mr. +Bolton.”</p> + +<p>“Meet Mr. Howard Bright, the new +manager of my Bridgeport plant,” cried +Bill’s father, and everyone clapped.</p> + +<p>“Why, that’s marvelous!” exclaimed +Dorothy. “It’s only an hour’s drive over +there from New Canaan. We’ll be able to +see a lot of each other, Janet.”</p> + +<p>Then Uncle Michael, looking very +happy and proud, kissed his daughter and +led her to the chair between his place and +Dorothy’s.</p> + +<p>“Daddy gave me the wedding dress,” +whispered Janet. “It’s a little bit late for it, +but he insisted.”</p> + +<p>“You look simply darling,” began her +cousin, then stopped. Doctor Winn, who +had pushed in her chair, was addressing the +company.</p> + +<p>“Ladies, and gentlemen,” he said, “before +we start on the Christmas cheer which +our little hostess and her father have so +graciously provided, I would like to propose +a toast or two, and may I ask you to +stand again while you drink them with +me?” He held up his glass of golden cider. +“First, let us drink long life and great +happiness to our charming bride, Mrs. +Howard Bright, and her gallant husband!”</p> + +<p>The company drank the toast enthusiastically. +Then Uncle Abe, the Dixon’s +darkey butler, better known to some of +Dorothy’s friends as “Ol’ Man River,” +grinning from one black ear to the other, +laid small leather jewel cases before Janet +and Howard.</p> + +<p>“Just a little Christmas gift, my children,” +explained Doctor Winn.</p> + +<p>“Oh, may we open them now?” asked +Janet eagerly.</p> + +<p>“You most certainly may, my dear.”</p> + +<p>They snapped open the lids and the company +leaned forward to get a better view +of the contents.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know how to thank you, Doctor +Winn,” began Howard, fingering his +handsome gold repeater and chain.</p> + +<p>“Nor I—why—my goodness! I never +thought I’d have a string of real pearls. +They are simply too exquisite for words!”</p> + +<p>Doctor Winn laughed and held up a +protesting hand. “I’m sure I’m glad you +like them, but guests are requested not to +embarrass the speaker. Now, I have another +toast to propose; and this time we +will drink a very Merry Christmas, long +life and great happiness to Miss Margaret +Schmidt, my new companion-housekeeper!”</p> + +<p>Gretchen was overwhelmed and blushed +furiously. Uncle Abe placed another +jewel case before her, which she opened +and found therein a pearl necklace, the +counterpart of Janet’s. All she could do +was to sit and gaze at it with her wide open +china-blue eyes. Mr. Dixon raised the +necklace, slipped it over the embarrassed +girl’s head, and nodded to the old gentleman.</p> + +<p>Doctor Winn took the hint and turned +the attention of the table guests to himself. +“Third and last, but not in any way the +least,” he said, “we will drink to the heroine +of the already famous case of the Double +Cousins. Ladies and gentlemen, I pledge +you Dorothy Dixon—whose bravery and +loyalty to her country gained the nation’s +thanks through its mouthpiece, our President +in Washington this week. A very +Merry Christmas, my dear, long life and +great happiness to you and to our friend +Professor, alias Winnite! By the way, +where is the pup? I have a little remembrance +for him, too.”</p> + +<p>“He’s right here beside me, asleep in his +basket, Doctor Winn.” Dorothy picked +up the yawning pup and sat him on her lap.</p> + +<p>The old gentleman took a slightly larger +morocco case out of his pocket, this time, +and laid it on the white cloth before her. +With a smile of thanks, she pressed the +spring and disclosed, lying on a velvet pad, +a double string of gleaming pink pearls. +She looked at him, speechless with pleasure, +then down again at the necklace. As +she did so, she started, for beneath the +pearls lay an envelope.</p> + +<p>She picked it up and drew forth a +paper—“Why! why, it’s my copy of the +Winnite formula!” she cried.</p> + +<p>“The only existing copy, my dear, which +I hereby present to your puppy.”</p> + +<p>“But, Doctor Winn, I don’t understand!”</p> + +<p>“My terms to the government were that +Winnite should be used for national defense +alone,” he said solemnly. “Washington +would not agree. Therefore I wish the +formula destroyed.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, what a darling you are!” Dorothy +leaned over and kissed him. “But let’s not +give it to Professor this time, please. The +last one made him horribly sick.”</p> + +<p>She held the paper over a lighted candle +and watched Winnite burn to charred ash. +“I certainly am the happiest girl in the +world tonight—but there is just one more +toast I’d like to propose before we commence +dinner. Here’s a long life and a +Merry Christmas to Mr. and Mrs. Martin +Lawson—if it hadn’t been for them, think +of all the fun we’d have missed!”</p> + +<div class='nf-center-c'> + <div class='nf-center'> + THE END + </div> +</div> + +<div class="tnotes covernote"> + <p><b>Transcriber's Note:</b></p> + <p>The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.</p> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dorothy Dixon and the Double Cousin, by +Dorothy Wayne + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DOROTHY DIXON, DOUBLE COUSIN *** + +***** This file should be named 44670-h.htm or 44670-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/4/4/6/7/44670/ + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Dorothy Dixon and the Double Cousin + +Author: Dorothy Wayne + +Release Date: January 15, 2014 [EBook #44670] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DOROTHY DIXON, DOUBLE COUSIN *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + DOROTHY DIXON + + and the Double Cousin + + BY + + Dorothy Wayne + + Author of + Dorothy Dixon Solves the Conway Case + Dorothy Dixon and The Mystery Plane + Dorothy Dixon Wins Her Wings + + THE GOLDSMITH PUBLISHING COMPANY + CHICAGO + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + Copyright, 1933 + + The Goldsmith Publishing Company + MADE IN U.S.A. + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + To + Dorothea Hetty Gutmann + + a New Canaan schoolgirl, who + loves our beautiful Ridge + Country, and whose fox terrier, + Professor, really ate the dictionary! + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + CONTENTS + + I The Encounter 15 + II "Family Affairs" 27 + III The Sleepwalker 39 + IV Meet Flash! 55 + V On Secret Service 67 + VI Who's Who? 79 + VII Playing a Part 91 + VIII "Walk Into My Parlor" 104 + IX In the Night 116 + X Surprises 127 + XI Gretchen 142 + XII Tests 156 + XIII Winnite 168 + XIV Professor 179 + XV Tea and Orders 199 + XVI Caught in the Act 212 + XVII Professor Makes Good 228 + XVIII The Christmas Spirit 246 + +------------------------------------------------------------------------ + + DOROTHY DIXON AND THE DOUBLE COUSIN + + Chapter I + + THE ENCOUNTER + + +"Why--good heavens, girl! How in the world did you escape?" + +Dorothy Dixon heard the low, eager whisper at her elbow but disregarded +it. She was intent on selecting a tie from the colorful rack on the +counter before her. She spoke to the clerk: + +"I'll take this one, and that'll make four. I hope Daddy will approve my +taste in Christmas presents," she smiled, and laid a bill on her +purchases. + +"But--please, dear, tell me! Don't you know I'm worried crazy? Who let +you out?" + +This time Dorothy felt a touch on her arm. She wheeled quickly to face a +tall, slender young fellow of twenty-two or three. As she stared at him, +half indignant, half wondering, she saw sincere distress in his brown +eyes, and in the lines of his pleasant face. Hat in hand, he waited +anxiously for an answer to his question, while the crowd of holiday +shoppers poured through the aisles about them. + +Dorothy's eyes softened, then danced. "It seems to me," she said, "that +you have the wires twisted--it's not I who've escaped, but you! Run +along now and find your keeper. You're evidently in need of one!" + +"Your change and package, miss," the impersonal voice of the +haberdashery clerk intervened and Dorothy turned back to the counter. + +"But why on earth are you acting this way, Janet?" The strange young man +was at her elbow again. + +Once more Dorothy turned swiftly toward him but when she spoke her eyes +and voice were serious. "Do you really mean to say you think you're +speaking to Janet Jordan? Because--" + +"My dear--what are you trying to tell me?" He broke in impatiently. "I +certainly ought to know the girl I'm going to marry!" + +Dorothy nodded slowly. "I agree with you--you ought to--but then, you +see, you _don't_!" + +The young man crushed his soft felt hat in his hands and took a step +nearer to her. "Look here--what _is_ the matter with you? I know you've +been through a lot, but--" He broke off abruptly, a gleam of horror and +suspicion in his honest eyes. "Janet! What have they done to you?" + +Dorothy laid a firm hand on his arm. "Sh! Be quiet--listen to me." Then +she added gently--"I am _not_ Janet Jordan, your fiancee." + +"You're not--!" + +"No. My name is Dorothy Dixon--and I'm Janet's first cousin." + +The young man seemed flabbergasted for a moment. Then he +stammered--"Wh-why, it's astounding--the resemblance, I mean! You're +alike as--as two peas. If you were twins--" + +"But you see," she smiled, "our mothers, Janet's and mine, _were_ twins, +and I guess that accounts for it. I've never seen Janet, but this is the +third time, just recently, that I've been taken for her by her friends, +Mr.--?" + +"My name is Bright," he supplied. "Howard Bright. Yes, now I can see a +slight difference, Miss Dixon. You're a bit taller and broader across +the shoulders than she is. But it's your personalities, more than +anything else, that are altogether unlike. I hope you'll forgive me, +Miss Dixon, for making a nuisance of myself!" + +"No indeed--that is, of course I will!" Dorothy laughed merrily. "You're +not a nuisance, you know, but," and her tone became grave, "I can see +that you're in trouble. Is there--" she hesitated. + +"Not I, Miss Dixon--that is, not directly. But," he lowered his voice, +"Janet is--is in very serious trouble. And for a moment, when I saw you, +I thought that in some miraculous way she had escaped." + +Howard Bright's face suddenly became almost haggard and Dorothy's +sympathy and concern for her cousin deepened into resolve. + +"Look here, Mr. Bright," she said abruptly, "we can't talk here, in this +shopping crowd, it's a regular football scrimmage. Let's go up to the +mezzanine. A friend of mine is waiting there for me now, I'm a little +late as it is, and--" + +"But I can't bother _you_ with this," he protested, "and especially--" + +"Oh, come along," she urged, "Bill is a grand guy when it comes to +getting people out of messes. I insist you tell us all about it. After +all, Janet's my cousin, you know, and you'll soon be a member of the +family, won't you?" + +"There doesn't seem much hope of that now." Young Bright's tone was +despondent. "But Janet certainly does need help, and she needs it +badly--so--" + +Dorothy caught his arm. "I'm going to call you Howard," she announced +briskly. "So please drop the Miss Dixon. And come on--let's push our way +over to the elevators." + +The mezzanine floor of the department store was arranged as a lounge or +waiting room for customers. Comfortable arm chairs and divans invited +tired shoppers to rest. Writing desks and tables strewn with current +magazines gave the place a club-like appearance. + +Dorothy and her newly found acquaintance stepped out of the elevator and +looked about. The place seemed especially quiet after the rush and +bustle on other floors, and was almost deserted, save for two elderly +ladies conversing in low tones near a window, and a young man, who rose +at their approach. + +As the good looking youth moved toward them with the lithe, easy grace +of a trained athlete, Howard Bright saw that he had light brown hair, +and blue eyes snapping with vitality and cheerfulness. + +"Hello, Dorothy!" He greeted her smilingly, "better late than never, if +you don't mind my saying so. I'd just about figured you were going to +pass up our date." + +"Sorry, Colonel," she mocked. "Explanations are in order I guess, but +they can wait. This is Howard Bright, Bill--Howard, Mr. Bolton!" + +The two young men shook hands. + +"Bolton--Dixon?" Howard's tone was thoughtful. "Why!" he exclaimed +suddenly. "You two are the flyers--the pair who won the endurance test +with the Conway motor! I'm certainly glad to meet you both. The papers +have been full of your doings. Well, this is a surprise! But you know, +I'd got the impression that you were both older--" + +"I'm sixteen," smiled Dorothy. "Bill has me beat by a year." + +"How about lunch?" suggested Bill. He invariably changed the subject +when his exploits were mentioned. People always enthused so, it +embarrassed him. "You'll join us, of course, Mr. Bright?" + +"Thanks, Mr. Bolton. I really don't think I can butt in this way--" + +"There's no butting in about it," Dorothy interrupted. "Howard is +engaged to my cousin, Janet Jordan, Bill. And Janet's in a lot of +trouble. I've promised we'd do everything we can to help." + +Bill, after one look at Howard's worried face, sized up the situation +instantly. "Why, of course," he said. "And we can't talk with any +privacy in this place. I can see that whatever the trouble is, it's +serious." + +"Janet's in desperate peril," Howard said huskily. + +"You said something about her escape when we met," Dorothy reminded him. +"Has somebody kidnapped her? Have you any idea where she is?" + +"Yes, she's a prisoner. A prisoner in the Jordans' apartment on West +93rd Street." + +"Then her father is away?" + +"No. He leaves tonight, I believe." + +"But, my goodness!--a girl can't be kidnapped and made a prisoner in her +own home. Especially if her father is there. It doesn't sound possible." + +"I know it doesn't," admitted Howard desperately, "it sounds crazy. But +it's the truth, just the same. She's in frightful danger." + +Dorothy looked horrified. "You mean that my uncle and Janet don't get on +together--that they've had a row and you're afraid he will harm her?" + +"Oh, no, they're very fond of each other." + +"Then Uncle Michael is a prisoner, too!" + +"No, he is free enough himself, but he can do nothing--it would only +make matters worse." + +"Well!" declared Dorothy, "I don't think much of Uncle Michael if he +can't protect his own daughter." + +Bill stepped into the breach. + +"What about the police--can't you call them in?" + +Howard Bright shook his head. "They would only bring this horrible +business to a climax," he explained. "And that is exactly what must not +be done. It is more a matter for Secret Service investigation--but I +don't think that even they could be of any real help." + +Bill and Dorothy exchanged a quick glance. + +"Have you ever heard of a man named Ashton Sanborn, Mr. Bright?" + +"Yes, I have, Mr. Bolton. Wasn't he the detective who helped you unearth +that fiendish scheme of old Professor Fanely?"[1] + +"Bull's eye!" grinned Bill. "Only Ashton Sanborn is quite a lot more +than a mere detective. And it so happens that he is over at the Waldorf +right now, waiting for Dorothy and me to lunch with him. Let me tell +you, Bright, it's a mighty lucky thing for Janet Jordan that he is in +town. Come along. We'll hop a taxi and be with him in ten minutes." + +Howard hung back. "But really--" + +Dorothy caught his arm. "Don't be silly, now," she urged. + +"But I can't call in a detective, Dorothy. I know I'm rotten at +explaining, but if these devils who have Janet in their power are +interfered with they will kill her out of hand!" + +"But you spoke of the Secret Service just now. This is not for +publication, but Mr. Sanborn is the head of that branch of the +government. If anyone _can_ help Janet, he can do it." + +"I doubt it. I admit I'm half crazy with worry, but Janet is going to be +removed from the apartment tonight, and heaven only knows what will +happen then. It takes days, generally weeks, to get the government +started on anything." + +"Not Sanborn's branch of it," interrupted Bill. "We're talking in +circles, Bright. If Sanborn can't help Janet, he'll tell you so. At +least you can give him the dope and find out. He's an expert and you'll +get expert advice." + +"All right, I'll go with you. But I'm afraid it won't do any good. +Please don't think, though, that I'm not appreciating the interest +you're taking. I don't mean to be a wet blanket." + +"Of course you don't, and you're not." Dorothy led toward the staircase. +"You'll feel a whole lot better when you get the story off your chest." + +"And when you've got outside a good substantial lunch," added Bill. "I +know I shall, anyway." + +"That," said Dorothy, "is just like a boy. I believe you'd eat a good +meal, Bill, an hour before you were hung, if it were offered to you." + +"I'd be hanged if I didn't," he laughed and followed her down the steps +onto the main floor. + +----- + +Footnote 1: + + See Bill Bolton and The Winged Cartwheels. + + + + + Chapter II + + "FAMILY AFFAIRS" + + +"Just--one--moment, please!" Ashton Sanborn's keen blue eyes twinkled as +he surveyed his young guests. His heavy-set body moved with a muscular +grace as he placed a chair for Dorothy and motioned the two boys to +seats on a divan nearby. "Now then, Dorothy and Bill--I want you two +chatterboxes to keep quiet while I ask Mr. Bright some questions and get +this matter straight in my own head. Your turn to talk will come later." +His quizzical smile robbed the words of any harshness, and the culprits +grinned and nodded their willingness to comply with his request. + +"Mr. Bright," he went on, "if you'll just answer my questions for the +present, I'll get you to tell the story from the beginning in a few +minutes." + +"It's mighty decent of you to take all this interest, Mr. Sanborn." + +The Secret Service Man shook his prematurely grey head--"It's my +business to ferret things out. Now, as I understand it, you mistook +Dorothy for her cousin, Miss Jordan, to whom you are engaged. The +likeness must be amazing?" + +"It is, sir." + +"Yes--well, we'll get back to the likeness after a while. You say that +Miss Jordan is a prisoner in her father's apartment, and is in danger of +her life?" + +"Yes, sir." Howard, tense and taut as a fiddle string, his hands +gripping the edge of the cushioned couch, gazed steadily back at his +questioner. + +"Do you know for certain that she is in actual danger at the present +moment, Bright?" Ashton Sanborn's quiet tone and unhurried manner of +speaking was gradually gaining the young man's confidence. Bill and +Dorothy noticed that Howard's strained look was beginning to disappear, +and he had started to relax. + +"She has been in great danger," he replied, "but now, they've decided to +test her. There isn't a chance, though, that she will pass the test, Mr. +Sanborn. The poor girl is so worn out and nervous she's bound to fail." + +"Do you know what time she is to be taken away from the apartment?" + +"Yes, sir. Lawson told her to pack her clothes today, so as to be ready +to leave at midnight." + +"Mmm!" Sanborn glanced at his watch. "It is now one-thirty. That gives +us exactly eleven and a half hours in which to get her out of their +hands. Now just one question more, Mr. Bright. What made you say that +this is a matter in which the so-called Secret Service of the United +States should be called in, rather than the police?" + +"Well," Howard's brows knit in a puzzled frown, "you see, Janet is being +taken to Dr. Tyson Winn's house near Ridgefield, Connecticut, tonight. +As I understand it, Dr. Winn has a big laboratory up there where he is +experimenting on high explosives for the government. Lawson, the man who +told Janet she was to go there, is Dr. Winn's secretary. It all looks so +queer to me--I thought--" + +"That _is_ interesting!" Ashton Sanborn's tone was serious and for a +little while he seemed lost in thought. Then abruptly he looked up from +an inspection of his finger tips, and rose from his chair. "I ordered +lunch for three before you young people arrived," he said with a return +of his cheerful, hearty way of speaking. "Now I'll phone down and have +lunch for four served up here instead." He looked at Dorothy. "By the +way, the menu calls for oyster cocktails, sweetbreads on grilled +mushrooms, O'Brien potatoes, alligator pear salad, and cafe parfait--any +suggestions?" + +"Oh, aren't you a dear!" Dorothy, who had been using a miniature powder +puff on her nose, snapped shut the cover of her compact. "You have +ordered all the things I like best. No wonder you're a great +detective--you never forget a single thing, no matter what it is." + +Sanborn laughed. "Thanks for the compliment--but those dishes happen to +be favorites of my own, too. Now get that brain of yours working, +Dorothy. When I've finished with the head waiter, I want you to tell us +all you know about your uncle and cousin. Before we can go further I +must have every possible detail of the case at my fingers' ends." + +He took up a phone from a small table near the window, and Dorothy +turned toward Howard. + +"You probably know more about the Jordans than I do," she said. "I have +a picture of Janet that she sent me a couple of years ago. We always +exchange presents at Christmas--but we've never seen each other." + +"I really know very little about the Jordans, myself," protested Howard. +"You see, Janet and I saw each other for the first time just five weeks +ago. It was on a Sunday afternoon, I'd been taking a walk in Central +Park, when one of those equinoctial downpours came on very suddenly. +Janet was right ahead of me, so naturally, I offered her my umbrella. +She's--well, rather shy and retiring, and at first she wasn't so keen on +accepting--" + +"So there _is_ a difference between the cousins!" Bill winked at Howard. +"If it had been Dorothy, she'd have taken your overcoat and rubbers as +well. Nothing shy or retiring about Janet's double!" + +"Is that so, Mr. Smarty! It's a good thing Howard met her that rainy +Sunday. If it had been you, Bill, the poor girl would certainly have got +a soaking!" + +"You mean she wouldn't have accepted my umbrella?" + +"I _mean_ you never would have offered it!" + +"You win--one up, Dorothy," said Ashton Sanborn when the laughter at +this sally had subsided. "What happened after you and Janet got under +your umbrella, Bright?" + +"Oh, nothing much. We walked over to Central Park West but there were no +taxis to be had for love or money. So then I suggested taking her home +and we found we lived in the same apartment house. I asked if I might +call, but she said that was impossible--that Mr. Jordan permitted no +callers." + +"Well," said Dorothy, "that didn't seem to stop you. I mean you are a +pretty fast worker, Howard, to get engaged with a tyrant father guarding +the doorstep and all that." + +"Cut it out, Dot," broke in Bill, who had been waiting patiently for a +chance to get even. "You can't be in the center of the stage all the +time, and your remarks are out of order, anyway." + +"I'll dot you one, if you take my name in vain, young man!" + +"Silence, woman! Go ahead, Howard, and speak your piece, or she'll jump +in with both feet next time." + +Dorothy said nothing but the glance she shot Bill Bolton was a promise +of dire things to come. + +"Oh, I don't mind," grinned Howard, and Dorothy immediately put him down +as a good sport. "Well, to go on with it--we used to meet in the lobby, +go for walks and bus rides, sometimes to the movies or a matinee. Two +weeks ago, Janet, who is just eighteen, by the way, said she would marry +me. She seemed to have no friends in New York. I've seen her father, but +never met him. Except for this horrible business, which came up a few +days ago, all that I know about Janet is that her mother died when she +was five, her father parked her at a boarding-school near Chicago, and +she stayed there until last June when she graduated. Her summer holidays +were spent at a girls' camp in Wisconsin. She was never allowed to visit +the homes of the other girls, so Christmas and Easter holidays she +stayed in the school. During her entire schooling, she saw her father +only five times. Last summer he took her abroad with him. They travelled +in Germany and in Russia, I believe." + +"Gosh, what a life for a girl!" exploded Bill. + +"I should say so!" Dorothy made no attempt to hide her disgust. "The +more I hear about Uncle Michael, the less I care about him." + +"Tell us what you do know about him," prompted Sanborn. "I want to get +all the background possible before Bright explains the girl's present +predicament. I know a good deal about Dr. Winn and his secretary. If +those men are threatening her, there must be something very serious +brewing. Go ahead, Dorothy--luncheon will be up here any minute, now." + +"All right, but I warn you it isn't much. My mother, who as you know +died when I was a little girl, had one sister, my Aunt Edith, who was +her twin. They looked so much alike that their own father and mother had +trouble in telling them apart. Aunt Edith fell in love with a young +Irishman named Michael Jordan, whom she met at a dance. He seemed +prosperous, and my grandfather gave his consent to their engagement. +Then he learned that Michael Jordan made his money by selling arms and +ammunition to South and Central American revolutionists. Grandpa, from +all accounts, hit the ceiling. He was a deacon of the church, very +sedate and all that, and he said he wouldn't allow his daughter to marry +a gun-runner. And that was that. To make a long story short, Aunt Edith +ran away with Michael Jordan. They were married in New York, sent +Grandpa a copy of the marriage certificate, and then sailed for South +America. For several years there was no word from them at all. My +mother, whose name was Janet, by the way, loved Aunt Edith as only a +twin can love the other. But she couldn't write to her because the +eloping couple had left no address. Six years later, mother had a letter +from Uncle Michael. He was in Chicago then, and he wrote that Aunt Edith +had died, and that he had placed little Janet at the Pence School in +Evanston. Mother and Daddy went right out to Chicago, to see Uncle +Michael. They tried to get him to let them take Janet home with them, +and bring her up with me. I was only three at the time, so naturally I +don't remember anything about it. But what I'm telling you Daddy told to +me years later. Well, their trip to Chicago was all for nothing--Uncle +Michael refused to let them have Janet. It almost broke my mother's +heart. Well, and that is the reason Janet and I have always given each +other presents at Christmas and on our birthdays, although we've never +even met. Two years ago, she sent me her photograph, and both Daddy and +I were astounded to see the resemblance to me. Twice, since then, I've +been taken for Janet by girls who were at school with her at Evanston. +Perhaps, if we were seen together, you'd be able to tell us apart--I +don't know." + +"I do, though," declared Howard, "you may be slightly broader across the +shoulders, Dorothy, but otherwise you might be Janet, sitting there. +You've the same brown hair, grey eyes, your features are alike--" + +"How about our voices?" + +"Exactly the same. You have a more forceful way of speaking, that's all. +I keep wanting to call you 'Janet' all the time." Howard turned his head +away, and Dorothy could see the emotion that again overtook him as he +thought of his helpless little fiancee, a prisoner in the hands of +unscrupulous men. + +She glanced at Bill, and shook her head in sympathy. Just then there +came a knock on the sitting room door. + +"Ah! lunch at last!" Ashton Sanborn rose and put his hand on Howard's +shoulder. "Come, no more of this now. The subject of the double cousins +is taboo until we've all done justice to this excellent meal!" + + + + + Chapter III + + THE SLEEPWALKER + + +"Mr. Sanborn," said Dorothy, "when you're tired of fathoming mysteries +for people, come out to New Canaan and help me order meals. That was the +most scrumptious lunch I've had in a month of Sundays." She dropped a +lump of sugar in her demitasse and threw her host a bright smile across +the table. + +"Thank you, my dear," the detective smiled back. "I may take you up on +that one of these days. But speaking of mysteries reminds me that now +the waiter is gone, it's high time we busied ourselves again with the +affairs of Janet Jordan. Now that I understand something of the young +lady's background and her family, I want to hear all there is to tell +about her present position." He pulled a briar pipe and tobacco pouch +out of his pocket and commenced to fill the one with the contents of the +other. "All ready, Howard. Start at the beginning and don't skimp on +details--they may be and they generally are important." + +"Very well, sir. I'll begin with a week ago today." Howard pushed his +chair away from the table, thrust his hands into trouser pockets and +jumped into his story. "Janet had a date to meet me last Thursday at +two p. m. at the Strand. We intended to take in a movie--but she never +showed up." + +"Then you aren't a business man--?" This from the detective. + +"Oh, but I am--a mining engineer, Mr. Sanborn. With the Tuthill +Corporation. But I am free on Thursday afternoons, instead of Saturday. +It is more convenient for the office staff." + +"Hasn't your concern large mining concessions in Peru?" + +"It has, sir--silver mines. To make matters worse--but no--I'll tell it +this way. I particularly wanted to meet Janet last Thursday, because I +had been told the day before by the head of our New York office that I +was to be transferred to Lima, Peru. The boat that I'm scheduled to sail +on, leaves this coming Saturday. I was fearfully pepped up about it. I'm +going down there as assistant manager of our Lima office, the job +carries a considerable increase in salary, and, if I make good, a fine +future with the firm. My plan was to get Janet to marry me, with or +without her father's consent, and to take her to Lima with me. I +couldn't bear to think of leaving her to the kind of existence she'd had +before I'd known her--and with no way of correspondence--Well, I waited +for over an hour in the lobby of the theatre but she didn't come. At +last I went up to my apartment." + +"Why didn't you phone her?" asked Dorothy, who was nothing if not +direct. + +"Because Janet had asked me never to do that. She said if her father +knew she had a boy friend, he'd pack her off somewhere, and we'd never +be able to meet again." + +"Nice papa--I don't think!" observed Bill Bolton. + +"No comments now, please," said Sanborn. "Go on, Howard. If you couldn't +talk to Janet, how did you find out that she was a prisoner?" + +Howard smiled. "But we _were_ able to talk to each other, Mr. Sanborn. +About the time we became engaged, I fixed that. My small flat is on the +ninth floor of the building, the Jordans' on the seventh. My three rooms +have windows on an air shaft. The Jordans' back bedroom and bath +overlook the same airshaft and are directly opposite my sitting room, +two flights below. The shaft is only twenty feet wide, so I bought one +of those headphone sets that are used in airplanes for conversation +between the cockpits of a plane while it is being flown. I lengthened +the wires of course, and got a long, collapsible pole. After dark, Janet +would come to her window, I'd pass her headphone set down to her, hooked +on to the end of the pole, and we would hold long conversations across +the court without anybody being the wiser. When we were through talking, +I'd pass the pole over to her and draw it back when she'd attached her +headset." + +"By Jingoes!" cried Bill. "I'll say that's clever!" + +"It sure is, Howard!" Dorothy was quite as enthusiastic. "You certainly +deserve to get Janet after that." + +Howard shook his head. "We'll have to do something really clever to get +her away from the bunch who are holding her prisoner. Well,--as I say, +when I got to my flat, I sat down by my sitting room window, and +pretended to read a book. In reality, of course, I was watching Janet's +window. Presently she appeared. Even at that distance, I could see that +she had been crying. She held up a slate, for we never dared to use the +headphones in the day time, and slates are a good medium for short +messages. On it she had written, '_After dark._' Well, that was one of +the longest afternoons I'd ever put in. About five-thirty, she came back +to her window and I passed over the headgear. When I heard her story, I +went half crazy, and I guess I've been pretty much that way ever since. + +"You see, Mr. Sanborn, Janet has told me that occasionally she walks in +her sleep, especially when she isn't feeling very well. The evening +before, that was a week ago Wednesday night, she had a headache and went +to bed early. When she awoke, she was terrified to find herself seated +on the floor of their living room, behind a large Chinese screen. There +seemed to be seven or eight men in the room, including her father. Of +course, she could not see them, but she could hear every word they said. +By the clock on the wall above her head, she saw that it was one in the +morning. She soon realized that this was a meeting of the heads of some +large society or organization and that these men had come there from all +parts of the world. There was an air of mystery about them and their +talk. No names were mentioned but they addressed each other by number. +Mr. Jordan was Number 5; Number 2, who spoke with a foreign accent, was +evidently conducting the meeting, in place of the absent Number 1, whom +they all seemed to hold in great awe. Janet realized that she must have +entered the room before the meeting started, while she was still asleep. +She saw that so long as the meeting lasted, there would be no way of +escape. Gradually she became terrified at her predicament, and--" + +"Just a moment," interrupted Ashton Sanborn. "Has Janet ever told you +anything of her father's business?" + +"She really knows nothing about it, Mr. Sanborn. I asked her myself some +time ago, and she said then, except that he seemed to travel a lot, she +hadn't the slightest idea what he did for a living. Once when she asked +him outright what is was, Mr. Jordan flew into a rage. He said it was +his own affair, and that so long as it brought them in enough money to +live comfortably, he did not wish her to bring up the matter again. The +one thing she does know is that he doesn't go regularly to an office. +Men frequently come to see him at the apartment, but their conversations +are invariably held behind locked doors." + +"I see. Go on now, with Janet and the meeting." + +"Well, sir, as I've said, she was behind that screen, listening to what +the men said--and in fact, she couldn't help listening. Not that she +understood much of what they were saying. Number 2 made a long speech +and the gist of it was that now they were agreed upon the use of Formula +X, the demonstration (whatever that was) must be made in their +respective sectors at the same time on the same day. He also proposed +that Number 5 (Janet's father) interview Number 1 and learn from him +when the demonstrations should be made. This motion was carried +unanimously. Then Number 3 asked the chairman if they could not in +future hold their meeting in some safer place than the Jordans' +apartment. 'For all we know,' he said, 'someone may be secreted behind +that screen!' Mr. Jordan laughed at this, and told Number 3 to close up +the screen if it made him nervous. So the first thing Janet knew, the +screen was dragged aside and she was staring into the face of a +Chinaman. Seated in a circle behind him were the others, her father +among them." + +"Gosh!" exclaimed Dorothy. "I'll bet that scared the poor kid silly." + +"It did," admitted Howard. "She was absolutely petrified. And then there +was the dickens to pay. All the men started talking at once. The +Chinaman pulled a revolver and pointed it straight at her, yelling that +she had heard their secrets and must be immediately executed!" + +"'She has heard nothing!' her father told them. 'She frequently walks in +her sleep. She was asleep when she wandered in here before the meeting, +and she is sleeping now--look!' Then he lit a match and held the flame +before Janet's eyes. 'You see,' he said, 'she doesn't even blink. Janet +has heard nothing, gentlemen.'" + +"Of course Janet had taken her father's hint, and followed it. She knew +that he was doing the only thing he could to save her life, so she kept +right on staring in front of her without moving, while the Chinaman held +the automatic within a foot of her head. But the strain she was under +nearly broke her nerve. She knew that the slightest sign on her part +that she was conscious would mean a bullet through her brain. A furious +argument followed. Most of the men--there were eight of them including +Mr. Jordan--wanted her put out of the way at once. But at last, her +father and Number 2, a big man with a long beard who seemed to be more +humane than the rest, prevailed upon them to let him lead her back to +her bed. Her father was forbidden to hold any intercourse with her +whatsoever. She was locked in her bedroom, afraid even to cry, for fear +she would be heard, and not knowing what moment the door would open and +they would drag her to her death." + +"Horrible!" Mr. Sanborn's pipe had gone out but he didn't seem to notice +it. "That experience was enough to unhinge a person's mind. Janet may be +shy and retiring, but she evidently doesn't lack grit. By the way, did +she say she recognized any of the men at the meeting?" + +"No. She said that without exception she was sure she'd never seen any +of them before, although they were all on good terms with her father. +Each one seemed to be of a different nationality. One was a black man +who wore a turban--an East Indian, probably. Another, also pretty dark, +wore a red fez. The others were apparently Europeans, but as they all +spoke English together she had no way of guessing what they were. Number +2, the man with the long brown beard, she thought might be a +Scandinavian. She was sure, though, that her father was the only +American or Anglo-Saxon in the group." + +"Tell us what happened next morning," proposed Dorothy. Her coffee, now +cold, remained untasted in the cup. + +"I'm getting to that. At eight o'clock her door was unlocked and a +woman, a stranger to her, came into her bedroom with a breakfast tray. +She put the tray on a table and went into the bathroom and turned on the +water for Janet's bath, then left the room and locked the door after +her. At nine this same woman came back, brought some books and magazines +to her, made up the bed and put the room straight. Whenever Janet spoke +to her, she shook her head and put her finger to her lips. But Janet +said that even now she doesn't know whether the woman is actually dumb +or only acting under orders. She has brought and taken away her meals +ever since, but she has never been able to get her to speak." + +"But how did she find out about going to Dr. Winn's house?" asked Bill +Bolton, who had shown an interest quite as keen as Dorothy's or +Sanborn's. + +Howard Bright drank a glass of water. "I'm getting to that part now," he +explained. "I'm not much of a story teller and I seem to be taking an +awful time to get through this one--but I'm doing my best just the +same." + +"Of course you are!" Dorothy motioned Bill to keep quiet. "You're doing +noble, Howard! Pay no attention to that goof over there." + +"O.K., Dorothy." Howard replaced his empty glass on the table. "At about +noon of the first day of Janet's imprisonment in her room, the door was +unlocked and Mr. Lawson came in. She knew him as a friend of her +father's who had dined with them two or three times. She had always +thought him quite a jolly sort of chap and knew that he was private +secretary to Dr. Winn, the celebrated chemist. Naturally, she felt +rather relieved to see him, and she opened up on him at once. She still +felt that her only hope for life and freedom was to pretend absolute +ignorance of the happenings of the night before. And she managed to keep +up that pretense before Lawson, though what he had to do with the affair +she hadn't any idea, nor does she yet know where he comes into the +picture. Anyway, he wasn't at the meeting. She let him know, though, +that she was very indignant and astonished to find herself kept a +prisoner, and demanded to see her father. Lawson, she told me, was most +affable and kind to her. He said that she of course did not realize that +she had been very ill during the night and that she was now under +doctor's orders. He also told her that her father had been called away +on business, so he had come to her as an old friend of the family, to be +of any help that he could. Janet said that his sympathy almost +undermined her suspicion--she almost confided in him. But luckily, she +didn't. He has been to see her every day since, and she is now convinced +that his part in this devilish scheme is to gain her confidence, and to +find out whether she actually did hear or see anything at the meeting. +Yesterday he told her that it had been decided she should visit him and +his wife at Dr. Winn's house while her father is away, and that in order +to occupy her mind, she should act as secretary to Mrs. Lawson, who +assists Dr. Winn in his work." + +"Maybe they don't really mean to harm her after all," said Dorothy +hopefully. + +"Janet is certain," said Howard, "that they want her at the Doctor's for +close observation. She took a secretarial course at school, so that part +of it is all right, but I believe with her that one slip, one sign that +she is deceiving them, will mean that she will simply vanish and never +be heard of again. She knows that Lawson lied about one thing: her +father is still living in their flat. She has heard his voice several +times." + +"But what I can't understand," said Dorothy, "is why, just as soon as +you knew all this, you didn't go to the nearest police station and have +that flat raided!" + +"Because, Janet won't hear of it." Howard's tone was thoroughly +wretched. "I worked out some other plans to release her, but she refuses +to budge." + +"Is the girl crazy?" This from Bill. + +"No--she's as sane as any of us--maybe saner. She says that if the +police are called in or I help her to escape, that crew will believe her +father knew all the time that she was faking--as of course he does. And +she says she is sure they will have him killed out of hand, once they +discover that. To make matters worse, if possible, my firm thinks I'm +going to sail for Lima the day after tomorrow! If I turn them down, I'll +lose my job here and ruin my future. I've been hoping against hope that +something would turn up so Janet could sail with me. I certainly shall +not sail without her. I was buying some clothes for the trip when I ran +into you this morning--" Howard's voice trailed off hopelessly. + +"Gee!" It was evident that Dorothy was not far from tears. "You poor +dears are in an awful fix! I do wish I could help you. Do +_something_--so that you two could get married and sail for Peru!" + +"Perhaps you can." Ashton Sanborn knocked the ashes from his pipe into +an ash tray. + +"_How?_" shouted three voices simultaneously. + + + + + Chapter IV + + MEET FLASH! + + +"Dorothy, have you ever done anything in the way of amateur +theatricals?" Ashton Sanborn stroked the bowl of his pipe reflectively. + +"Why--er--yes, a little." She looked a bit bewildered. "I've been in the +Silvermine Sillies for the past two years." + +Sanborn nodded. "How is it you're out of school on a Thursday?" The +question seemed irrelevant. He was leaning back in his chair now, +surveying the ceiling rather absently, but there was nothing +lackadaisical about his crisp tones. + +"Christmas holidays. Why?" + +"Because, if you're willing, I may want you to work for me for a few +days. I suppose I can reach your father by telephone at the New Canaan +bank?" + +"No, you can't--Daddy is down in Florida on a fishing trip. He's on Mr. +Bolton's yacht, somewhere off the coast. They won't be back until +Christmas Eve." + +"That," said the Secret Service man, "complicates matters. Who, may I +ask, is looking after Miss Dixon while Mr. Dixon is away?" + +"I'm looking after my own sweet self, sir." Dorothy grinned roguishly. + +"Then who is to take the responsibility for your actions, young lady?" + +"Why, you may--if you want to!" + +For a moment or two the detective studied her thoughtfully. There was a +certain assurance about this girl's manner, a steely quality that came +sometimes into her grey eyes, an indefinable air of strength and quiet +courage-- + +"Do you think you could impersonate your cousin, Dorothy?" + +"Why--of course!" Dorothy showed her surprise. "We look exactly alike. +Didn't Howard take me for Janet?" + +"He did--but from what he has told us about her, your natures are +entirely different. Janet, from all accounts, is a rather meek and +demure young lady. Remember, that in order to convince anyone who knows +her you would have to submerge your own personality in hers. And nobody +would ever describe _you_ as a meek, demure young lady!" + +"An untamed wildcat--if you ask me," chuckled Bill. + +"Why, thanks a lot, William!" Dorothy's hearers were abruptly aware of +the changed quality of her voice as she continued to speak in melting +tones of pained acceptance. "But nobody _did_ ask you, darling, so in +future when your betters are conversing, be good enough to button up +that lip of yours!" She finished her withering tirade in the same quiet +tones and with a positively shrinking demeanor that sent the others into +shouts of laughter. + +"Say, you're Janet to a T!" cried Howard. "Her voice is always like that +if I happen to hurt her feelings." + +"How about her hair, Howard? Is it long or short?" + +"Oh, she wears it bobbed like yours." + +"I suppose," Dorothy said to Mr. Sanborn, "that you want to smuggle me +into the flat and have me change places with her?" + +"That's the idea exactly," admitted the detective. "And I don't want you +to make your decision until I explain my plan in detail--or, rather, the +necessity for the risk you will be taking." + +"Shoot--" said Miss Dixon, "but I can tell you right now, risk or no +risk, I'm going through with it. Janet, after all she's been through and +from what Howard has told us, is bound to flop once she gets to Dr. +Winn's. Nervous, and probably high strung, the chances are against her +being able to hold up under the strain." + +"I think you are right about that. But although Janet is in serious +danger, she could be rescued and her father guarded without bringing you +into the picture, Dorothy, if it were not for one thing. These men who +hold Janet in their custody are in some way mixed up with Dr. Winn, who +has undertaken to make some very important experiments for the United +States government." + +"I make a bet that he is Number 1 of the gang!" ventured Bill, the +irrepressible. + +"Very possibly. That has yet to be discovered. But what I want you young +people to realize is that this is no ordinary gang. Quite evidently we +are up against an international organization. Their treatment of Janet +is concrete evidence of their cold-blooded ruthlessness when they +believe their plans to be in jeopardy. If you take your cousin's place, +Dorothy, of course we will see that you are well guarded, but even so, +your part in clearing up this mystery will entail a very great element +of risk." + +"I'm willing to take the chance." Dorothy met his inquiring eyes +steadily. "Naturally, I'm sorry for Janet and I want to help her. The +only thing is, I've got to be back at High School by January fourth." + +"I think I can promise you that this job will be cleaned up within a +week." + +"I reckon," smiled Bill, "that you haven't told us all you know about +these lads with numbers instead of names." + +"Not quite all." Sanborn smiled back at him. "But that is neither here +nor there just now. By the way, Dorothy, how are you on shorthand and +typewriting?" + +"Oh, not so worse. It's part of the course I'm taking at New Canaan +High." + +"Good enough. Frankly, young lady, I would not consider using you, had +not the New Canaan Bank robbery, the affair of the Mystery Plane and the +Conway Case proved conclusively that you have a decided flair for this +kind of thing." + +"Thank you, sir," said Miss Dixon with mock coyness. "Them kind words is +a great comfort to a poor workin' goil. Do I pack a gat wid me, Mister?" + +"You do not. In fact, you will take nothing except what belongs to your +cousin. If I am able to get you into the Jordan flat and they carry you +up to Ridgefield in her place, just being Janet Jordan, who never woke +up when she was sleepwalking last week will be your best protection. Of +course, I'm not deserting you. Either I or some of my men will find +means of keeping in touch with you constantly." + +"And when the villains scrag me, the secret service boys will arrive on +the scene just in time--to identify the deceased! No thank you. If the +gun is out of orders, Flash will have to go. Of course my jiu jitsu may +help at a pinch, but Flash is more potent and ever so much quicker." + +"What are you talking about, Dorothy?" Ashton Sanborn looked puzzled. + +"It's a cinch you can't drag a dog along if that's your big idea," +declared Bill. + +"It is not the big idea, old thing." Dorothy grinned wickedly. "Flash +and I have got very clubby this fall. He's really quite a dear, you +know. We travel about together a lot." + +"The mystery of this age," observed Bill, "is how certain females can +talk so much and say so little." + +"Then," said Dorothy cheerfully, "I'll let you solve the mystery right +now. Catch!" She tossed him a macaroon from a plate on the table. "Go +over to that bedroom door," she commanded. "Stand to one side of the +door and throw that thing into the air." + +"But, I say, Dorothy!" interposed Ashton Sanborn. "This is no time for +fooling, we've got--" + +"This is not fooling, you dear old fuss-budget," she cut in. +"It's--well, it's just something that may save you from worrying so much +about me. Now, Bill, are you ready?" + +"Anything to please the ladies," retorted that young man wearily. He got +up and walked to the far end of the room and took his stand beside the +closed door. "Is Flash a cake hound? Will he jump for the cookie?" + +"He sure will--toss it in the air." + +The small cake went spinning toward the ceiling, and at the same instant +Dorothy's right hand disappeared under the table. With the speed of +legerdemain she brought it into view again and her arm shot out suddenly +like a signpost across the white cloth. There was a streak of silver +light--and the three male members of the quartet stared at the bedroom +door in open-mouthed wonder. Quivering in the very center of its upper +panel was a small knife, and impaled on the knife's blade was the +macaroon. + +"Meet Flash!" said Dorothy. + +"Great suffering snakes!" exploded Bill, plucking out the blade, and +examining it. "The thing's a throwing knife." + +"Six inches of razor-keen, leaf-shaped blade," said Dorothy, "and three +inches of carved ivory hilt, beautifully balanced--that's Flash. How do +you like him, fellers?" + +"You," declared Howard, who was still goggle-eyed with surprise, "you +are the most amazing girl I've ever met, Dorothy!" + +"And you don't know the half of it," said Bill with unstinted fervor. + +"Think I can take care of myself at a pinch, Uncle Sanborn?" Dorothy was +laughing at the expression of astonishment on the detective's face. + +"You win, young lady." He chuckled softly. "After this I'll keep my +worries for Doctor Winn and his friends. Who'd have thought you had +anything like that up your sleeve!" + +"Not up my sleeve, old dear. A little leather sheath strapped just above +my left knee is where Flash came from." + +"Regular Jesse James stuff, eh?" remarked Bill as he handed back the +knife. + +"Oh, yeah?" Flash disappeared as quickly as he'd come, and Dorothy stood +up. "What's on the boards, now, boss?" she asked sweetly. + +"Howard--" said Ashton Sanborn, "will you let me have the key to that +apartment of yours? Thanks. Bill and I will need it this afternoon, and +even if things go according to Hoyle, we'll be powerful busy. In the +meantime, I've got a job for you and Dorothy." He took out his +pocketbook and extracting a sheaf of bills, handed them to the girl. + +"You and Howard are going to have a busy afternoon, too. See that you're +back here in time for dinner at seven, and--" + +"But what under the sky-blue canopy is all this?" Dorothy was thumbing +the bills, counting them. "Why, I've never seen so much money--" + +"Use it to buy your cousin a trousseau. Have the things sent to Mrs. +Howard Bright's apartment at this hotel. And remember, that when she +arrives here, Janet will have nothing but the clothes she is wearing. +You don't mind doing this, do you?" + +"Mind! Why, I'll love it!" Dorothy turned a dazzling smile on Howard, +who was simply tongue-tied by the detective's announcement. "Isn't he +swell, Howard? Isn't he some guy?" + +Ashton Sanborn laughed. "Don't thank me. Uncle Sam is paying, so you +needn't bring back any change." + +Dorothy thrust the money into her purse. "Don't worry, old bean, I +won't. So long, you two. Come on, Howard, we're going to have a +beautiful afternoon!" She caught young Bright by the arm and whirled him +across the room to the coat-rack. She jammed a bright green beret over +her right ear and slung her leopard-cat coat onto her shoulders. "All +set for Fifth Avenue!" she called out merrily as she preceded Howard out +of the room. + + + + + Chapter V + + ON SECRET SERVICE + + +To say that Dorothy enjoyed her afternoon's shopping would be putting it +mildly. Give any girl plenty of money and tell her to go out and buy an +entire trousseau for herself--or even for somebody else--and watch her +jump at the chance! + +Howard trailed along in more or less of a daze. This sudden change in +his outlook; being drawn from the depths of despondency to the hope of a +future with the girl he loved, and all in the space of a couple of +hours, was a little too much for him to realize at once. Ever after, he +had but a hazy recollection of that shopping tour. The afternoon seemed +but a whirling maze of lingerie, stockings, street dresses, party +frocks, coats, hats, shoes and accessories, upon which his advice was +invariably asked, and never taken. + +They were bowling hotelwards in a taxi, jammed with cardboard boxes and +packages of various shapes and sizes, before he returned to normal. + +"Whew!" he looked at Dorothy. "I should think you'd be dead!" + +She shook her head and laughed. "No girl ever gets tired of shopping," +she told him gaily. "Wait till you're married--you'll find out." + +"But what's the idea of bringing all these things back with us? I +thought Mr. Sanborn said to have them sent." + +"He did--but I have a better idea. This is part of it. I'll tell you all +about it when we get to the hotel. Keep still now--I want to go over the +lists and see if I've forgotten anything!" + +Howard sighed in resignation. + +At the hotel desk they learned that Ashton Sanborn had not returned as +yet, but had left word that they should go to his rooms. With the +assistance of three bellboys, they piled themselves and their packages +into the elevator. + +"Gee! This looks like the night before Christmas!" Howard dropped his +hat and overcoat and stared at the boxes and bundles piled along the +wall of the sitting room. "Janet certainly will be surprised when she +sees all those things!" + +Dorothy pulled off her close-fitting little hat, and tossed it with her +purse and coat onto the table. Then she sank into an easy-chair. "Well, +I only hope she'll approve. My, this was a strenuous afternoon. You'd +better sit down." + +Howard followed her advice. "You said it. But I know Janet--she'll be +crazy about the things you've bought." + +"Oh, you boys are all alike." Dorothy yawned unashamedly. + +"I don't get you." + +"What I mean is that as soon as a fellow goes round with a girl for a +while, he invariably says 'Oh yes, she'll like this,' or, 'she won't +like that'." + +"And--?" + +"Ninety-nine times out of a hundred you guess wrong." + +"Why?" + +"I think it's because girls like to do their own choosing. Especially +when it comes to buying clothes. Well, anyway, I think the things are +darling, and they'll be becoming, too. At least they look well on me." + +"Don't worry--those clothes will make her look like a million dollars." + +"I know they will. I'm tired, I guess." Dorothy yawned again and closed +her eyes. + +Howard started to say something, thought better of it, yawned, and let +his head pillow itself on the soft upholstery. + +Three quarters of an hour later, Ashton Sanborn and Bill Bolton marched +into the room to find the two shoppers sound asleep in their respective +chairs. The detective coughed discreetly and both the young people +awoke. + +"I see that you've brought your spoils back with you," he smiled, +pointing to the boxes and bundles. Dorothy stared at him, only half +awake, then sat upright in her chair as she realized where she was. + +"Looks to me," said Bill, getting out of his overcoat, "as if she +thought Janet was going to start a shop of her own. Why did you cart all +the stuff back here instead of having it sent?" + +"Because, Mr. Inquisitive--well, just because. You and Howard run along +now and prepare your handsome selves for dinner. The principles of this +piece are going into conference now." + +"My _word_--" began Bill, but at a shake of the head from Sanborn, he +took the still drowsy Howard by the arm and together they disappeared +into the bedroom. + +"Pretty tough time you've had, I expect?" Mr. Sanborn's eyes twinkled, +though his tone was grave. + +"Oh, but it was lots of fun," cried Dorothy. "Thanks to Uncle Sam, and +Uncle Sanborn! And look here, I've got a great idea." + +"Which has to do with your bringing back the packages yourself?" + +"Quite right, it has. Do you think those boys can hear what we're +saying?" + +"I doubt it, Dorothy--but Bill, as you probably guessed at the end of +the affair of the Winged Cartwheels, is a full-fledged member of my +organization and--" + +"Oh, I don't mind Bill," she interrupted in a low tone. "But Howard +mustn't get wind of it. He might make a fuss." + +She rose from her chair and going over to the detective, began to +whisper in his ear. + +"But that's impossible, Dorothy!" he protested, although he allowed a +smile to come to his eyes. "And what's more, my dear, I'm afraid it +would be illegal." + +"Oh, no, it wouldn't! Not if you--" And again she brought her lips close +to his ear. + +"You're a young scamp!" he laughed as she ended. "But--well--you're +doing a great deal for me, so--" + +"So you'll go downstairs and start telephoning right away!" she prompted +eagerly. + +Ashton Sanborn held up his hands in mock despair. "Nieces," he declared, +"should not badger hard-working old uncles. But since this niece has +been a good girl today, Uncle will do as he's asked." + +"I shall never call you anything else but Uncle Sanborn, now," Dorothy +cried delightedly. + +"Thanks, my child, and I'll do my best for you." + +"Angel uncles can do no more," she laughed. + +"Right-o. I'll be on my way, then. Come along in about fifteen minutes +with Bill and Howard. I'll arrange for a table for dinner and meet you +three in Peacock Alley." The detective caught up his hat and hurried out +of the room. + + * * * * * + +Although Mr. Sanborn was a perfect host, and did all he could to make +that dinner entertaining, he confessed later that he would always +consider it one of the few failures of an otherwise unblemished career. + +Notwithstanding the delicious food, the charm and beauty of the huge +room with its lights and music and scores of well-dressed men and +beautifully gowned women, the dinner was not a success. All three of the +young people were too excited by thoughts of what would happen later to +do justice to the meal. Dorothy, moreover, had the added annoyance of +feeling that her tailored frock, smart enough for luncheon or shopping, +was definitely not the thing to wear at dinner in a fashionable hotel. +Each endeavored to be sprightly and at ease. But since they knew that +the one thing they wanted to talk about was forbidden in public, +conversation flagged. Upstairs at last in Mr. Sanborn's sitting room, he +came directly to the point. + +"Now I know you're just rearing to go," he said. "And perhaps the sooner +we get under way, the better." He turned to Bill. "You go ahead with +Howard," he ordered. "Dorothy and I will follow you in about ten +minutes. Go straight to the apartment. We'll meet you there." + +"O and likewise K, boss," Bill returned. "Get into your rubbers, Howard. +And don't look so gloomy. You're on your way to meet your best girl, +remember." + +When they had gone, Dorothy turned at once to the detective. "How about +it, Uncle Sanborn?" she asked eagerly. + +"To quote Bill, 'O and likewise K,' niece." + +"Gee, you _are_ a dear!" Dorothy clapped her hands. "And now that that +is that--I don't care what happens." + +"But I do, Dorothy." Ashton Sanborn was serious. "Listen to me, young +lady. From now on you're working for the U. S. government, under me, and +I must have my orders obeyed to the letter." + +"Yes, sir, I understand." Dorothy's tone was crisp and business-like. + +"Good. I let those chaps go ahead of us as there is no need of having us +all arrive at that apartment house at the same time. This afternoon, +Bill and I made all arrangements, so that you can change places with +your cousin shortly after you arrive." + +Dorothy felt secretly proud that this keen-eyed secret service man took +her at her word, and did not ask her again if she were really willing to +go through with it. "May I ask you a question?" + +"Certainly." + +"Well, suppose that after you manage to get me into Janet's room, she +refuses to leave it. Do you want me to force her?" + +"Heavens, no." Sanborn laughed. "That has all been taken care of, +Dorothy. I talked to your cousin by means of Howard's headphone set +shortly after dark this afternoon. I explained the whole thing to her +and when she understood that her father would be brought into no extra +danger because of our plan, and that I had drafted you into becoming a +secret service operative, she consented." + +"I'm glad of that," said Dorothy fervently. "She could easily have +misunderstood and spoiled everything." + +"Well, we'll have a lot to do to put it over, even though Janet is +willing. I persuaded her that by doing exactly what you told her, once +you arrived, she would be serving her country like a loyal American. +You, of course, will use your own judgment, when you see her. The +principal thing is to change clothes and get her out the way you came +just as soon as possible." + +"But how am I to get into the Jordans' apartment?" + +"Good soldiers, Dorothy, do not ask questions. There's no secret about +it, but I've other things to tell you now. Lawson will probably come for +you--or for Janet, as he will believe you to be. He is a tall, slender +man, about thirty, rather good-looking, dark curly hair and a small +mustache. Your Uncle Michael, if you should run into him, is heavy set +and rather short. He has reddish hair, turning grey, and is clean +shaven. Janet has never met either Doctor Winn, or Mrs. Lawson. Now just +a word about the lady. She is a very beautiful and a very clever woman. +Be on your guard with her, continually. I believe that the principal +reason that you, or rather, Janet Jordan, will be taken to Ridgefield, +is so that you may be studied at first hand by this woman. There is no +need for me to tell you to keep up the Janet personality day and night. +Incidentally, you will have only a very short time to study your cousin, +so make the most of it. Well," he concluded, "I guess that's about all. +You will receive further orders within the next day or two. In the +meantime, simply carry on as Janet Jordan. I am taking a great +responsibility in letting you go, my dear. For I won't hide the fact +that you'd probably be safer in a den of rattlesnakes than in the same +house with Mr. and Mrs. Lawson." + +"I'm not afraid, you know," said Dorothy simply and smiled up at him. + +"I know you're not. But it would really be better if you were. For then +you'd be much more careful, and you must watch your step every minute +until I get you out of it. Here's your coat. Slip into it and we'll get +going. The sooner I get you safely into Janet's room, and that young +lady out of it, the easier will your Uncle Sanborn feel." + + + + + Chapter VI + + WHO'S WHO? + + +The December evening was cold and wet as Dorothy and Ashton Sanborn +crossed the sidewalk and entered their taxi-cab. The day had been a +dreary one, and now a dense, drizzling fog lay low upon the great city. +Dun-colored clouds drooped over a muddy Park Avenue as they were swept +up town. On the side streets the electrics were but misty splotches of +diffused light which threw feeble circular glimmers upon the slimy +pavements. The yellow glare from shopwindows streamed out into the +chill, vaporous air, and threw a murky, shifting radiance across the +crowded thoroughfare. To Dorothy there was something eerie and ghostlike +in the endless procession of faces which flitted across these narrow +bars of light. She was not in any respect a timid girl, but the dull, +heavy evening, and the prospect of the strange venture in which they +were engaged, combined to make her feel nervous and depressed. + +At 59th street the taxi turned west and rolled steadily along the +shining black asphalt, stopping now and then for the red lights. They +crossed 5th Avenue and swung into Central Park. Dorothy caught glimpses +of the gaunt shapes of trees in silhouette against the cold fog. She +closed her eyes and resolutely turned her thoughts to the events of the +afternoon. + +So engrossed had she become in the contemplation of her delightful +buying orgy that she was surprised when their cab pulled up with a jerk +and Ashton Sanborn opened the door. + +"Muffle up in your fur collar, Dorothy," he said. "The fewer people who +see your face, the better." + +Now that the ordeal had arrived, Dorothy's nervousness vanished. She +buried the lower part of her face in the soft fur collar and walked at +Mr. Sanborn's side into the lobby of the apartment house. + +A darkey in brass buttoned uniform stood by the elevator. Two shining +rows of white teeth flashed in a smile of greeting for the detective. + +"All the way up, George." Mr. Sanborn gave the order as the car started +upward. + +"Yaas, suh, boss, I understand." George smiled again, and presently the +elevator stopped. + +With Mr. Sanborn in the lead, Dorothy walked along a corridor and up a +narrow flight of stairs. The detective opened a door at the top and the +damp cold of the night swept in upon them. A moment later they were +crossing the flat roof of the apartment house toward a small group who +stood near the parapet at the roof's edge. As they drew nearer, she saw +that the group awaiting them was composed of Bill Bolton, Howard, and a +stranger. They were standing beside a small crane. + +The secret service man nodded a greeting and turned to Dorothy. "We are +directly above Janet's window, which is three flights below," he said +quietly, and glanced at the luminous dial of his wrist-watch. + +"And you're going to let me down with the auto-crane?" she asked with +just a tremor of excitement in her voice. + +"That's the idea. It's perfectly safe. Bill tested it this afternoon." + +Dorothy gave a little laugh. "Oh, I'm not scared, Uncle Sanborn." + +"I know you aren't, my dear." + +"When do I take off?" + +"Whenever you're ready." + +"All set now, then, please." + +"Good. You'll go in a minute. Here are last instructions. You will seat +yourself in that swinging seat that Bill is holding. The cable to which +it is attached runs through the pulley at the end of the crane's arm. +This building is nine stories high. The Jordans' flat is on the seventh +floor, you remember, so Janet's window is the third one down." He moved +to the low parapet and leaned over. "The window is dark, so everything +is O.K.," he said, coming back to her. "Pull your seat in with you when +you enter, Dorothy, and pull down the shade, of course, when the light +is turned on. When Janet is ready, switch off the light again and have +her give a couple of pulls on this guide rope." He placed the rope in +her hand. "Then we will hoist her up. Ready for your hop now?" + +"Yes, thanks." + +"Good luck, then. And remember that although you may not see us, I or +some of my men will be near you all the time." + +Dorothy shook hands with her three friends and stepped into her swinging +seat. She sat down, steadying herself with a grip on the cable. + +"All serene?" asked Bill. + +"Shove off!" said Dorothy. + +Bill motioned to the stranger, there came the low whir of an electric +motor. Her feet left the roof and she felt herself swung upward. Then +the ascent stopped, the arm of the crane swung outward and with it her +pendant seat. Her feet cleared the parapet and she was over the narrow +airshaft. + +Blurred lights from closed windows of the various apartments gave her a +glimpse of many empty ashcans in the small courtyard far below. But the +crane was lowering her now close to the wall of the building. She was +facing the wall, and looking upward she made out four heads leaning over +the parapet at the edge of the roof. + +The descent was slow, but at last she passed two windows and came to +rest beside the third, whose lower sash she saw was open. Then two arms +caught her about the knees and she was pulled into the room. + +"Dorothy--oh, Dorothy!" sobbed an excited voice so like her own that +Dorothy gave a start. + +"Well, here I am, Janet." It was a prosaic reply, but her own heart was +beating quickly, nevertheless. "Gee, it's dark in here! Be a dear and +shut down the window on this cable--and draw the shade, then turn on the +light. I'm busy getting out of this thing." + +She heard the window and shade come down with a rush. As she stepped +free of her conveyance, the lights flashed on, and the cousins flew into +each other's arms. + +"Janet!" + +"Dorothy!" + +For a long moment the girls hugged each other and Janet, the more +over-wrought, sobbed on her cousin's shoulder. + +Dorothy was herself deeply touched, but managed to control her feelings. +"Come, dear," she said at last. "We'll just have to get going, I guess. +They're waiting for you on the roof--and somebody is likely to come to +the door. We mustn't be caught together, you know." + +"I know it." Janet released her and again Dorothy gasped, for she heard +her own voice speaking although the words came from Janet. + +"Look, Dorothy!" Janet pointed to a long mirror in the corner of the +room. "I knew that we were a lot alike, but I never could have +believed--" + +"Well, talk about two peas in a pod!" In the glass Dorothy saw herself +standing beside her cousin; and had it not been that she wore a coat and +hat, while Janet was dressed in a wine-colored silk frock, she would +have had difficulty in knowing which was her own reflection. "Maybe I'm +half an inch taller, or hardly that," she said after a bit. "Lucky we +both have had our hair shingled. You wear a bang, though--but that's +easily fixed." + +She whipped off her small hat and went over to the dressing table where +she picked up a pair of nail scissors. Two minutes of snipping and +Janet's bang was duplicated on her own forehead. The hair she had cut +off had been carefully placed on a magazine cover and opening the window +a trifle she dropped the ends into the night. + +"Now," she said, closing the window. "You and I had better change +clothes, Janet. And we'll have to make it snappy." + +"Yes--and oh dear--" Janet was slipping off her dress--"I've got so much +to talk about. You can't realize what a horrible time I've had--and then +to find you, only to lose you again!" Janet was very near to tears. + +"But you won't lose me long," Dorothy flashed her a comforting smile as +she got out of her own dress. "Meanwhile, you'll have Howard. He's +waiting on the roof, now. And Ashton Sanborn says he can clear up this +business in a few days." + +"You certainly are wonderfully brave to do this for me," sighed her +cousin. "If Mr. Sanborn hadn't insisted that by changing places with you +I'd be really helping the government, I couldn't allow you to do it. As +it is, I feel I'm cowardly to go through with it--" + +"Why, you're nothing of the sort," Dorothy protested. While Janet talked +and they both undressed, she watched her cousin's mannerisms, storing +away in her memory, for future use, every gesture, and inflection of the +voice so like her own. + +"Who's who?" she giggled, and now her tone was softer, an exact +duplication of Janet's manner of speaking. + +Her cousin smiled. "In our undies," she admitted, "even I am beginning +to wonder if I'm not seeing double and talking to myself. How about +shoes and stockings, Dorothy?" + +"Chuck 'em over, Janet, we'd better do it up right. I sp'ose most of +your things are packed in that wardrobe trunk over there?" + +"Yes. I packed it this afternoon. You'll find some handkerchiefs and +gloves in the top bureau drawer. I left the trunk open on purpose. When +Mr. Lawson comes, you might be putting them in--it would help to make +things natural." + +"Right you are--that's a good idea." + +"My arctics and my hat and coat are in the closet. Your coat is much +better looking than mine. It's a shame to take it from you." + +"What's a coat between cousins who love each other?" laughed Dorothy and +put on Janet's dress. + +A few minutes later, the change of clothing had been made, and the girls +regarded each other in awed wonder. + +"I'll bet," Dorothy declared, "that when Howard sees you he'll think +I've come back again." + +Janet blushed. "Well, he'll soon find out different. But it's a shame to +leave you here, darling. If there were _only_ some other way!" + +"But there isn't. So cut along now, and just remember that this kind of +thing is my stuff--I love it." + +"Some day I'll make it up to you--if I ever can!" + +Dorothy hesitated for a moment, then smiled. "You can do it tonight, if +you want to." + +"Why--what do you mean?" + +"Just follow any suggestions that Mr. Sanborn may make." + +"But, what does that--you're hiding something from me!" + +"Perhaps I am." + +"What is it?" + +"Never mind, now." + +"But, Dorothy--" + +"No time for that, Janet. Get into that swing arrangement with your back +to the window." + +"All right, but kiss me goodbye, first." + +They held each other close for a second. Then as Janet took her place on +the seat attached to the steel cable, Dorothy switched off the light. + +"I'll--I'll do as you ask, I mean, about Mr. Sanborn," whispered Janet. + +"Thanks, darling, I--" began Dorothy, her hand on the window sash ready +to raise it. Then suddenly she stopped. + +Somebody was unlocking the door into the hall. + + + + + Chapter VII + + PLAYING A PART + + +Dorothy ran to the door and caught hold of the knob. "Who's there?" she +cried. + +"It's I--Martin Lawson, Janet. May I come in?" + +"Oh, please, Mr. Lawson, not right now." There was a soft tone of +pleading in her voice. "You see, I've been lying down and I'm not quite +dressed." + +"But I thought I heard you speaking." + +"You did." The real Janet, shivering by the window, caught her breath +and heard Dorothy's tone sharpen slightly. "To myself. Being cooped up +like this for hours on end, I'm glad to hear the sound of my own voice. +I often read aloud. But I'll be ready shortly, if you want me." + +"All right, then. I'll be back in five minutes. Your father is here and +he wants to say goodbye." + +The key turned in the lock and with her ear close to the panel Dorothy +was sure she could hear the faint tread of footsteps retreating down the +hall. With her heart pumping sixty to the second, she dashed back to +Janet and carefully raised the window. + +"Heavens! that was a narrow squeak--" her cousin whispered shakily. +"What nerve you've got! I nearly fainted--" + +"Never mind," Dorothy whispered back, "you've got to get out of +here--and right now!" + +"Oh, but I can't, Dorothy. I'm afraid!" + +Dorothy gave the signal rope two savage pulls. Almost immediately the +cable began to tighten. "Close your eyes and hang on with both hands," +she ordered. + +"But Dorothy--I'll scream--I'm going to--I know it!" + +"No, you won't!" Quickly Dorothy clasped the frightened girl's fingers +around the taut cable. A dive into the pocket of Janet's coat brought +forth her own handkerchief which she hurriedly crumpled into a ball and +thrust into her cousin's mouth. The seat, with Janet in it, was rising +slowly. She caught the paralyzed girl below the knees, steadied her as +the crane drew its burden clear of the sill and pushed her carefully +into the outer darkness. When Janet's feet were on a level with the +upper sash, she pulled down the window and shade and switched on the +light again. + +"Skies above!" Her breath came in short gasps and she leaned against the +end of the bed to steady herself. "Talk about your thrills! That was +worse than my first solo hop, by a long shot." She ran her fingers +through her short hair. "Let's see--what next? Oh, yes--I was supposed +to be lying down." + +She caught up a book from the table and tossed it open onto the bed. +Then she lay down, rumpled the coverlet, made sure that the pillow +showed the impression of her head, and sprang up again. An adventurous +past had taught her the need of being thorough. + +She went to the window and raising it, looked out and upward. Neither +Janet nor the crane were in sight. Thankful that her cousin was safe at +last, she pulled down the sash. + +Two or three minutes later, when the door was unlocked, the two men who +entered surprised her in the business of packing the contents of the top +bureau drawer into Janet's wardrobe trunk. + +And now came as pretty a piece of acting as has ever been seen upon the +stage; acting that Dorothy's audience of two must not realize was +acting, and furthermore, one of these men was the father of the girl she +impersonated. Why hadn't she remembered to ask Janet what she called +that mysterious father of hers? Father, Papa, Dad, Daddy--which should +she use? A mistake now would be fatal. Even her uncle must not become +aware of her real identity. There was no time for hesitating. He was +speaking now. + +"Janet, my dear--" he began. + +Dorothy ran to her uncle and throwing her arms about his neck, buried +her head on his shoulder. "How could you leave me like this?" she +wailed. "Why do you let these people keep me locked in my room? And now +they are going to take me away!" Her voice grew louder, almost +hysterical. She sobbed pathetically and clutched him a little tighter. + +"My dear child--you mustn't cry this way--you really mustn't!" Mr. +Jordan patted her back in the silly way men do when they want to be +comforting. "Mr. Lawson and his wife will look after you in the country, +while your Daddy is away." + +She released the embarrassed man, and pulling a handkerchief from his +breast pocket, dabbed her eyes with the cambric until she felt certain +they looked bloodshot enough to pass inspection. "But I don't _want_ to +go, Daddy. Please don't let them take me," she begged, her voice +trembling as though she was using all her will power to gain self +control. "If you can't take me with you, why can't I go back to school?" + +"But that's impossible, Janet. You are going to be Mrs. Lawson's +secretary. Don't be foolish. All arrangements have been made." + +"Well, I'm eighteen," said Dorothy with a show of temper. "My mother was +a year younger than that when she ran away and married you. I am no +longer a child. I don't like being packed off like--like a bag of +potatoes." + +"Are there any other reasons why you don't want to come to Ridgefield +with me?" Mr. Lawson spoke for the first time. His words fairly dripped +with suspicion. + +"Yes, there are." Dorothy turned on him angrily. "Daddy goes off on a +trip, and for reasons which appear to be a secret, you keep me locked in +my room for more than a week, Mr. Lawson. And you seem to wonder why I +resent it." + +"But you have been ill, my dear Janet." + +"If I'm so ill, why has no doctor been to see me?" Her voice was full of +scorn. + +"I have been keeping you under observation myself." + +"Quite possibly. I've been allowed to see nobody except that maid who +acts as if she were deaf and dumb. If you are trying to tell me that I'm +mentally deranged, I won't stand for it! The mere fact that you now +propose that I act as your wife's secretary proves that you consider me +capable. What right have you to keep me a prisoner in my own home? Who +are you, Mr. Martin Lawson, to take upon yourself the regulating of my +life?" Dorothy burst into angry tears. + +"But my _dear_ child--" protested Mr. Jordan. "I've never seen you +behave like this--" + +"No! And up to now," she stormed, her eyes flashing, "you've never given +me cause. In the first place I'm no longer a child--you forget that--and +then--what kind of a life did you give me as a child? You are my father +and you say that you love me, but can you expect deep affection from a +daughter whom you ship to boarding school at five? You wouldn't even let +me visit friends during the holidays. For years at a time you never took +the trouble to come and see me. How can you expect love and obedience +after years of neglect?" She drew a sobbing breath, then went on: "For a +while we traveled--you were nice to me--I enjoyed it. We settled down +here. I forgave what you'd done to my childhood. I tried to make this +flat a home for you, even though I was kept like a cloistered nun and +you allowed me no friends. But this is going too far." + +"And what, may I ask, are you going to do about it?" inquired Lawson +with a disagreeable smile. + +"What can a defenseless girl without friends do to stop two big bullies? +I shall go with you, Mr. Lawson, because I can't help myself. But don't +expect me to like being used as a slave, even though I may be of some +comfort to that long-suffering wife of yours. Oh, that makes you angry, +does it? Well, let me tell you, that you are not half as angry as I am. +You can practice your strong-arm methods on defenseless women and get +away with it--some day you'll try it on a man--and by the time he gets +through thrashing you there won't be enough left for the boneyard." She +flashed a smile of contempt on the furious man, and turned to Mr. Jordan +who was speaking again. + +"What has come over you, Janet?" he was saying. "I've never heard you +speak so rudely to anyone before. You've always been such a quiet little +mouse--" + +"And you've taken advantage of it," she interrupted. "What you forget is +that even a mouse will turn and fight when it's cornered. If you really +loved me--if you had a spark of manhood in your selfish body, you'd +thrash this man to within an inch of his life and throw him into the +street. Get out of here--both of you!" she cried hysterically. "And +please--no more silly arguments--I don't want to be forced to say before +outsiders what a contemptible person my father is proving himself to +be." + +This last tirade seemed to stun Mr. Jordan. From the almost agonized +expression on his face, she saw that at last conscience was at work. The +man was utterly miserable. He could not hide it. + +"Will you--will you be ready to leave in half an hour, Janet?" His voice +was a mere whisper and shook with suppressed feeling. + +"Yes, I'll be ready. Go now, please--both of you!" She turned her back +on them and walking over to the window, she threw up the shade and the +sash. As she stood there staring into the night, she heard them leave +the room. + +This time the door shut without being locked. Dorothy streaked across +the floor and pressed her ear to the keyhole. Just outside the men were +talking. + +"You're a fool, Lawson, if you still think that Janet wasn't asleep +during the meeting," she heard her uncle say. "Tonight proves it. And +let me tell you this. From now on, my business and my home shall be kept +separate and distinct. Never again will I allow myself to be placed in a +position to be dressed down by my own daughter. There was no comeback +either. Every word she said was gospel truth. It's a terrible thing when +a daughter makes her father realize what a low, cowardly creature he is +at heart. Well, how about it? Aren't you now convinced of her +innocence?" + +"I am." Lawson clipped off the words, and as he went on speaking, there +was insolence as well as a hint of nervousness in his tone. "But when it +comes to giving me a thrashing, Number 5--well, I shouldn't try it if I +were you--not if you value your--er--health!" + +"Stop talking like a fool!" retorted Janet's father. "Is the girl to be +sent to Ridgefield or not?" + +"Now you're talking rot, yourself," snapped Lawson. "You know quite as +well as I do that Laura won't take our word for it. She told me this +morning that any clever woman or girl for that matter, could twist a man +around her finger without half trying. Laura wants to study your +daughter herself--and that's all there is to it." + +"I hope Mrs. Lawson has a pleasant time of it." Mr. Jordan said +sarcastically. "But I'm afraid my hope will not be granted." + +"Laura," answered that lady's husband, "can be rather disagreeable +herself when she's roused. Let us hope for Janet's sake, that she +doesn't try her tantrums on my wife. By the way, what are you doing +now?" + +"Getting away just as fast as I can, thank you. No more scenes for me, +tonight. I wouldn't meet Janet on her way out of here for a million +dollars!" + +They moved further along the hall and Dorothy went slowly back to the +window. Across the narrow court, two flights up, the shaded windows of +Howard Bright's flat shone a dull golden yellow in the black wall. For +several minutes she stood watching the windows, her thoughts upon what +she had done and what she had just heard. + +Suddenly, shadows appeared on one of the yellow rectangles. The shade +was raised and framed in the window were Janet and Howard. Just behind +them stood a stranger who wore the round, conventional collar of a +clergyman. The young couple were smiling happily. Both waved, and Janet +held up her left hand. + +Dorothy knew the significance of that gesture, and threw them a kiss. +Then she saw the shade roll down, and she turned away. + +"And so they were married and lived happily ever after." She sighed. +"Uncle Sanborn kept his promise, like the fine old sport he is." + +She stuffed the last of Janet's belongings into the trunk, slammed it +shut and locked it. + +"Now for the dirty work--and Laura Lawson." She smiled grimly and went +to the closet for Janet's hat and coat. + + + + + Chapter VIII + + "WALK INTO MY PARLOR" + + +The sedan, with Martin Lawson driving and Dorothy beside him, purred +smoothly through the dank, cold night. Now that they were past the realm +of traffic lights, it lopped off the miles between them and Ridgefield +with the regularity of an electric saw cutting planks from a log. + +During the entire journey, now nearly over, Dorothy had spoken no word +to the man beside her. She wanted him to believe that she was still +furiously angry. As a matter of fact, she had felt antagonistic toward +him from the first moment she laid eyes upon him; his smug overgrooming, +the highly polished fingernails, the small waxed moustache and too +immaculate clothing, all repelled her. She knew at once what it had +taken Janet some time to realize: Martin Lawson might be and probably +was a very clever man; he was, on the other hand, a man to be wary of. +His manner was just a little too complacent, too smooth. Notwithstanding +the forewarning she had received regarding his character, Dorothy knew +instinctively that he was not genuine and not a trustworthy person in +any respect. She detested him thoroughly. + +He was a careful driver, she gave him credit for that. They found little +traffic to impede their progress along the Boston Post Road, once the +long tentacles of the great city were left behind. But the black swath +of highway leading out and on from their moisture-coated headlights +glistened wetly in their reflection. After they turned into the hills +behind Stamford, heading for the Connecticut Ridge Country, the road for +a mile or more at a stretch was covered with wet leaves. They crawled +along at a snail's pace to prevent skidding and a crash into the New +England stone fences that rambled along the roadside dividing woodland +from the rolling meadows. + +Just beyond New Canaan, they drove past Dorothy's home and Bill +Bolton's, for the properties faced each other across the ridge road. +Before they reached Vista it was raining dismally, and Lawson had the +windshield wiper going. Dorothy was thankful that the sixty-mile journey +from New York was nearly over. At last they reached the outskirts of +Ridgefield, and the car swung into a driveway between high pillars of +native stonework. In the glow from the electric globes on the gate +posts, the blue stone driveway curved and twisted like a huge snake, +winding through landscaped lawns and gardens as formal and precise as a +public park. + +It was raining harder now, and Dorothy could see nothing beyond the path +of their headlights. Although she had never been in the grounds before, +she had driven past the Winn place numbers of times. Finally, she made +out the bulk of a great stone house. Martin Lawson stopped the car +beneath a porte-cochere. They had arrived. + +Massive doors of wrought iron and glass swung open. A butler and two +footmen in livery ran down the steps. The butler, a tall, +important-looking individual, snapped open the car door. + +"Good evening, Mr. Lawson," he said. "Good evening, Miss." + +The voice with its high-pitched Oxford drawl still smacked of +Whitechapel. Dorothy, who had travelled in England, was sure that under +stress, the cockney in this personage would come out. She knew he was +careful of his aitches. + +"Good evening, Tunbridge," Lawson returned briskly, and Dorothy smiled +pleasantly. "Is Mrs. Lawson still up?" + +"Madam is awaiting you in the library, sir." Tunbridge helped Dorothy to +alight and handed Janet's overnight bag to a footman. "Jones," he said +to the other flunky, as Lawson stepped out of the car, "drive round to +the service entrance. Miss Jordan's box is in the back of the car. See +that it is taken up to the Pink Bedroom and have Hanley garage the +motor-car." + +"Very good, sir," returned the man, and he got into the automobile. + +Tunbridge ushered them up the broad stone steps. Dorothy caught a last +glimpse of a leafless, dripping hedge across the drive, and the giant +skeleton arms of a tree that seemed to menace earth and sky; then she +entered the house, wondering what the next act of this strange drama +would bring forth. + +She found herself in an enormous hall, furnished with objects such as +she had never seen outside a museum. Elaborately carved oak, suits of +armor, stone urns, portraits, a wide stone staircase mounting upward to +surrounding galleries, stained glass windows, tigers' and lions' heads, +antlers of tremendous size, strange and beautiful weapons, all ranged in +confusion before her eyes and suggested a baronial castle rather than +the home of an American scientist, in the Connecticut hills. + +Tunbridge led to a door on the right, where he knocked, then opened, as +a muffled "Come in" was heard. + +"Miss Jordan and Mr. Lawson, Madam," announced the butler, and he stood +aside to let them pass. + +Dorothy walked into a room whose walls seemed built of books. The +furniture was richly attractive and looked luxuriously comfortable. A +fire blazed in a fine chimney and a table near it was set with a glitter +of splendid silver and hot water plates below shining metal covers. + +A tall, superbly beautiful woman, with dark eyes and coal-black hair +that grew in a widow's peak on her brow, rose from a chair on the wide +hearth and came toward them. Her clear, white skin, and a broad streak +of silver across the black hair gave her a strangely ethereal +appearance, as though she might have been a being from another planet. +The hand she held out to Dorothy was exquisitely formed, the fingers +long and tapering. + +"How do you do, Janet," she said pleasantly. "Welcome to Winncote. You +are later than we expected. The Doctor has gone to bed, but he left his +greetings." + +"Thank you," Dorothy returned formally and shook hands. "You are very +kind, Mrs. Lawson." + +Laura Lawson gave her a smile, but the girl saw that it was a smile of +the lips alone, her dark eyes remained somber. "Did you have a +breakdown?" she asked her husband, taking notice of him for the first +time. + +"Slippery roads--it was impossible to do much more than crawl, Laura." +He lifted a dish cover on the table and inspected its contents. "Glad +you thought to order supper--I'm famished." + +"So am I," admitted his wife and her words seemed to carry a double +meaning. "It's long after three. Come over here by the fire and get +warm, Janet. Now Tunbridge--if you'll please serve us?" + +Tunbridge seated them at the supper table and uncovered the dishes. + +"Just a light meal," announced the hostess, "scrambled eggs, toast and +cocoa, but it will warm you up and help you last until breakfast." + +"It looks delicious!" said Dorothy, who discovered at the sight of food +that she was starving. In fact all three were hungry, and for some +little time conversation was dropped while the soft-footed Tunbridge +waited upon them. + +"We will have a chat tomorrow, Janet," Mrs. Lawson said presently. +"Tonight you are tired and so am I. We take breakfast in our rooms. Ring +for it when you're ready, but don't hurry about getting up, I'll see you +down here about eleven-thirty. Have you had enough to eat and drink, my +dear?" + +"Plenty, thank you, Mrs. Lawson." Dorothy thought it would be just as +well if she played the demure mouse until she had a chance to size up +her employer. + +"Then I think we'll go upstairs, Janet, and I'll show you your room." +She looked at her husband. "You'll be coming up soon, Martin?" + +"Just as soon as I finish this pipe, and get a bit warmer." + +"I think," said Mrs. Lawson, "that both you and Janet had better take a +hot lemonade before you go to bed. I don't want to have you both laid up +with colds tomorrow." She smiled solicitously at the girl. + +"I hate the filthy stuff," protested her husband. + +"Don't be ridiculous," she answered coldly and turned to the butler. +"Tunbridge, have hot lemonades sent to Miss Jordan and Mr. Lawson in +about twenty minutes, if you please." + +"Very good, madam." + +Laura Lawson slipped her arm through Dorothy's. "Don't be long, Martin." + +"I won't. Good night, Janet." + +"Good night, Mr. Lawson." + +Mrs. Lawson seemed lost in thought as they slowly mounted the stone +stairs. Suddenly she began chattily: "Men are such stupid creatures, +Janet. So stupid about taking medicine or anything else that may be good +for them. Martin and that hot lemonade is a case in point. I hope that +you haven't any foolish ideas like that?" + +"Oh, no, indeed. I'm rather fond of it." + +"That's fine. Now promise me you'll get into bed and drink it just as +hot as possible. There's nothing better to ward off a cold, and you'll +sleep like a top into the bargain. Well, here's your room, my dear. It's +late, so I won't come in, but I think you'll find all you need to make +you comfortable. If you want anything, ring. Good night, Janet. Sleep +well." + +"I'm sure I will, Mrs. Lawson. Good night." + +The older woman passed along the gallery and Dorothy entered her +bedroom. It was a good-sized room, attractively furnished with +everywhere evidence of a woman's taste. Pink-shaded electric candles +gleamed from the walls papered in cream and scattered with tiny pink +rosebuds. The small grey-painted bed displayed pink pillow cases, sheets +and blankets. A dainty writing desk in one corner of the room was also +painted grey as was the chaise longue and the chairs, where the +upholstery carried out the note of pink. A soft grey rug, pink-bordered, +covered the floor, and Dorothy's feet sank into its thick, warm pile as +she investigated her new quarters. She saw that the room was nearly +square, and opposite the door a rounded alcove sheltered a bow window, +hung with pink taffeta, and the window seat below it was cushioned in +pink. + +In a corner against the wall stood Janet's wardrobe trunk, and near it +was a door that led into a spacious closet. Dorothy hung her coat on a +padded hanger, and then looked into the rose and onyx tiled bath. + +As she re-entered the bedroom she stopped short in surprise. A small +piece of white paper protruded from beneath the door to the gallery. +Quickly she stooped, snatched the paper and opened the door. The gallery +was empty. Crossing to the balustrade she looked down upon the great +entrance hall. That also was deserted and nobody was to be seen on the +staircase. + +She turned back, closed and locked her door. Then she spread out the +paper she had crumpled in her hand. Printed on one side in pencil she +read the words: + +"BE ON YOUR GUARD. DO NOT DRINK THE LEMONADE. DESTROY THIS AT ONCE." + +"Now I wonder..." Dorothy muttered softly, "who sent me this note?" + + + + + Chapter IX + + IN THE NIGHT + + +Dorothy turned over the piece of paper to find as she expected that the +other side was blank. No signature. Nothing but the double warning, and +the admonition to destroy the missive and to do so at once. Evidently +the writer either believed or knew for certain that she would shortly be +disturbed. There was no fireplace in the bedroom. Even though she tore +the note into bits, some of the scraps might be found and pieced +together should she throw them out the window; and her room might be +searched at any time. How could she make way with it? For a moment or +two Dorothy was at a loss. Mechanically her fingers tore the paper into +fine shreds. + +Then she smiled. "I guess we'll let the plumbing take care of you," she +said, gazing down on the little pile of paper on her palm, and she +disappeared into the bathroom. + +When she returned, Dorothy opened Janet's over-night bag, took out a +pair of green silk pajamas, bedroom slippers and toilet accessories, +among which was a new toothbrush in a case. This, and the underwear she +had on were the only belongings of her own that she had retained. + +From Janet's purse, she extracted the trunk key. After some rummaging in +that large travelling wardrobe, she found a quilted bathrobe of pale +pink satin on a hanger toward the back. It was too late to unpack +entirely, and she was about to close and relock the trunk, when she +decided to leave it open. The Janet Jordan she was portraying had never +waked up at the famous meeting of last week. That Janet would feel +outraged at her imprisonment, her father's seeming callousness and would +naturally be furious at being packed up here willy-nilly: but she would +have no cause to be suspicious of these people in this big stone house. +If she had locked the trunk--Dorothy realized she had almost made a +mistake, although a minor one--and in her present position mistakes were +dangerous affairs. + +Although it was very late and the day had been a strenuous one Dorothy +did not feel tired. While she undressed, she went over in her mind the +new vistas opened up by this mysterious note she had just destroyed. As +she dissected it word by word from memory, she was astonished to find +that the scrap of paper carried much interesting information between the +lines. + +Undoubtedly, Ashton Sanborn had planted a member of his organization in +the house, but how that had been possible, she could not imagine. First +of all, there was the warning to be on her guard. That Mrs. Lawson was +indicated she had no doubt. Her hostess, while seeming most charming and +courteous, had nevertheless suggested the hot lemonade which the note +told her not to drink. It was quite likely that her unknown adviser had +reason to think that the lemonade would be drugged. And then these +people could hardly mean to poison her so soon after her arrival. For +their whole idea in bringing her to Winncote, as she understood it, was +to make sure whether the real Janet had heard their secrets or not. +No--they merely wanted her to sleep soundly. But why? + +Dorothy pondered on this for several minutes. There could be only one +reason, she decided. Somebody was planning to enter her bedroom tonight, +and wished to do so without her knowledge. What their purpose might be +she could not guess and she did not bother about it. To a girl of a +nervous temperament, such as Janet Jordan, the knowledge that such a +visit was planned and success arranged for by means of a drug, would +have been torture. But Dorothy, who could feel "Flash" in his holster +just above her knee was merely worried for fear that lemonade or no +lemonade she would fall asleep. The arrival here had been uneventful +enough after what had happened at the Jordans' apartment. At least, to +all outward appearances it had been smooth sailing. She was beginning to +realize that nothing with these people was what it seemed to be. She had +climbed her Vesuvius and was standing at the crater's edge. Already the +first rumblings of the eruption had been heard. + +Her position, though seemingly secure, was nothing of the kind. The +sooner Ashton Sanborn gave her the orders he had promised, and she could +carry them out and get away from this place, the better for Dorothy +Dixon. And yet she could not help a feeling of exhilaration. + +There came a gentle knock on her door. Wearing her quilted wrapper and +slippers she turned the key and opened to--the imposing Tunbridge. He +bore a small tray on which stood a steaming tumbler, a bowl of sugar, +two spoons and a napkin. "Your hot lemonade, Miss Jordan," he announced +in his pompous voice and rather as though he were offering her a +priceless gift. "Mrs. Lawson's instructions are to drink it after you +get in bed, Miss. May I mention also that it is very hot?" + +Dorothy took the tray. "Thank you, Tunbridge, I'll be careful. Good +night!" + +"Good night, Miss." + +The butler departed in the direction of the stairway, and Dorothy closed +the door and locked it again. + +She set the tray on a chair beside her bed and put two spoonfuls of +sugar into the tall glass. It was too hot for anyone to drink yet, so +she went into the bathroom to get ready for bed. + +Five minutes later she switched off all the lights except the one on the +head board. Then she got into bed, picked up the glass and stirred her +lemonade, making sure that the spoon tinkled against the glass. If +anyone was listening outside her door they would naturally think she was +drinking the stuff. + +After waiting a moment or two longer, she set the glass down on the tray +with a thump that might have been heard on the gallery. But the glass +remained in her hand. Off went her light now, and still holding the +lemonade she got quickly and quietly out of bed. A silent trip to the +bathroom in the dark and she emptied the lemonade into her washbowl. +Then she came back and placed the empty glass on the tray. She hurried +over to the bow window, opened a sash, turned off the heat in the +radiator and crawled into bed again. + +The bed was to the left of the door as one entered the room. By lying on +her right side Dorothy held the entire room within her view. After the +soft glare from the shaded electric lights, it seemed inky black, but +soon her eyes grew accustomed to the gloom. In the wall just beyond the +foot of the bed was the closed door of her closet. The trunk stood +beyond that in the corner. The alcove and window seat took up a large +section of the farther wall and in the corner, diagonally across from +where she lay was a dark spot--the writing desk. Opposite her bed was +the half open door to the bathroom. The dressing table, the door to the +hall but a few feet from her head--mentally she had completed her tour +of the room. + +Then for a long while, or so it seemed to the excited girl, she lay +there waiting. Of course her door was locked, but the affair of the +Winged Cartwheels a few months before had taught Dorothy that keys may +be turned from the outside with a pair of small pincers. Her mind now +set itself on the key in the door. In vain she listened for the warning +click that would come when it turned in the lock. Now that she was lying +in bed she began to discover how tired she was. It became harder and +harder to stay awake. + +She knew that she must have dozed, for without warning a light appeared, +a golden circle on the center of the rug. Instantly she was wide awake +and her hand beneath the blankets drew her throwing knife from its +sheath. Through half-closed eyelids she made out a dark figure holding a +flash light pointed toward the floor. + +Then the glowing circle moved to the empty glass beside her bed, and +Dorothy closed her eyes. For a moment it rested upon her face and she +heard a low chuckle. Dorothy knew that voice. Her visitor was Laura +Lawson. + +The light swept away from her face. Mrs. Lawson touched the wall switch +by the door and the bedroom sprang into light. The drug in the lemonade +must have been a strong one, for it was evident that the intruder had no +fear of her awakening. Without wasting another glance on Dorothy, Laura +Lawson went to the wardrobe trunk and commenced a detailed inspection of +its contents. + +The woman's back was turned, so Dorothy had no difficulty in watching +her movements. Everything in the trunk was taken out, glanced at and put +back exactly as it had been. This took some time, and it was fully half +an hour before her hostess finished with the trunk. Next she overhauled +the small travelling bag and the purse. Then the empty drawers of the +dressing table and desk came under the woman's eye. The pillows and +cushions of the window seat were lifted. The rug was turned back. Every +nook and cranny of the room and closet came under observation. Then she +went into the bathroom. + +"What under the shining canopy can she be looking for?" Dorothy +marveled. "It can't be the note I got tonight. She proposed the lemonade +before that could have been written. I wonder if she'll search the bed? +She mustn't find Flash--" + +When Laura Lawson returned to the bedroom, she saw that the sleeper had +turned over and was now facing the wall. For a moment she gazed down on +the girl, then her hand crept under the pillow. Finding nothing there, +the covers were pulled back to the foot of the bed. + +Dorothy felt the cold breeze from the open window blowing on her +pajamaed body, but she did not move. Presently sheet, blankets and silk +comfort were replaced and the woman left the bedside. Dorothy chuckled +inwardly. Flash was still safe. She was lying on him. + +Off went the light. Dorothy knew that Mrs. Lawson's slippered feet would +make no sound on the thick pile of the rug. She waited to hear the door +open and close, but heard nothing. With her face to the wall, she could +see nothing. The strain of lying motionless became nerve wracking. What +was the woman doing anyhow? Slowly she rolled over again. So far as she +could tell, the room was empty. + +For what seemed an age Dorothy lay, listening. Except for the wind +sighing through the bare trees outside her window, there was no other +sound. She felt nervous and unpleasantly excited. She must know if the +door had been left unlocked. Slipping out of bed she tiptoed across to +it and tried the handle. The door did not give. + +Suddenly she froze against the panels. A dim glow appeared on the +opposite wall as the closet door swung slowly back, and outlined in the +opening was the tall figure of Tunbridge. + + + + + Chapter X + + SURPRISES + + +Dorothy's experiences, since she had shopped for neckties for her father +that morning had been quite enough to lay up the average girl for a +week, and to wreck her nerves into the bargain. Laura Lawson's +appearance in her bedroom had strained tightened nerves to the breaking +point. + +The arrival of this second intruder was just too much. As the butler +stepped out of the closet and started to close the door, Dorothy's +self-control snapped like a rubber band. She forgot that she was playing +a part; that it might be suicidal to show her hand so early in the game. +Fear gripped her throat. Had this man been sent to kill her? If not, +then what was he doing, stealing into her room through a secret entrance +like an assassin of the middle ages? Self-preservation bade her act. The +consequences could take care of themselves. + +"Stop!" The harsh whisper, as her hand dove for Flash, sounded like the +voice of a stranger. "Move another step, and I'll pin you to that door!" +Flash was in her raised hand now, the extended blade reflecting the +light in the closet as though the polished steel were glass. + +She saw the man start in surprise and turn his head in her direction. As +she was about to hurl the knife, Tunbridge found his voice. + +"Ashton Sanborn sent me, Miss Dixon. Please don't throw that knife." + +Gone was the English accent, and the pompous intonation of the British +man servant. Tunbridge, if that were really his name, spoke the American +Dorothy was accustomed to hear, the accents of the cultured New +Englander. For the second time in her life, Dorothy fainted. + +She awoke to find herself in bed. Tunbridge was beside it. She could +just make out his tall, powerful figure in the darkness. + +"Goodness--did I faint?" she said weakly. + +"You certainly did, Miss Dixon." His tone was little above a whisper. +"Please don't raise your voice--and drink this. I found the aromatic +spirits of ammonia in the bathroom. You need something to steady you. No +one is cast iron--you've been through a frightful lot today." + +Dorothy took the glass and drained it. Then she lay back on her pillow. +"I got the scare of my life just now. Why didn't Ashton Sanborn tell me +about you, Mr.--" + +"Tunbridge is really my name, Miss Dixon. John Tunbridge, and very much +at your service. I was afraid my rather abrupt appearance would startle +you, and especially coming so soon after Mrs. Lawson's--er--visit. I got +a shock myself when I saw your white figure by the door just now, and +all ready to split me with that knife, like--like a macaroon." He +chuckled, and removing the tray, sat down on the chair beside her bed. + +"Oh, then you've seen Ashton Sanborn this evening, Mr. Tunbridge?" + +"Heard from him, Miss Dixon. As you must know by now, I am a secret +service operative and I am working under Mr. Sanborn. There isn't time +to go into detail now, but a couple of months ago, our department +received an anonymous letter saying that Doctor Winn would bear +watching. Shortly before that the Doctor had engaged Mrs. Lawson, who is +an expert chemist by the way, to take charge of his laboratory. Her +husband has been Doctor Winn's secretary since last spring. We thought +at that time that Mrs. Lawson might be the mysterious letter writer. +Since then we've altered our opinion. Mr. Sanborn decided that inasmuch +as Doctor Winn was working for the government it would be well to have a +secret service man in the house. We prevailed upon the butler here to +resign and I took his place." + +"Then Doctor Winn knows you're a government detective?" + +"No one in this house knows that, except you, Miss Dixon. The whole +matter was arranged through an employment agency. Doctor Winn and the +others here have no idea that I, like you, am simply playing a part." + +"Well, you're certainly a splendid actor, Mr. Tunbridge." + +"Thank you, Miss Dixon. As you've no doubt discovered, acting, +convincing acting, often plays a large part in our profession. You are +doing brilliantly in that respect yourself. Mr. Sanborn thought, +however, that it would be better if you did not know about me until the +necessity arose. Mrs. Lawson, he knew would be watching you like a hawk +when you arrived. If you had been aware of my identity, your position +would only have been more difficult. She might have had her suspicions +aroused in some way, which would have given you a wrong start from the +beginning. I think you will realize tomorrow how hard it will be to +treat me as though I were merely Tunbridge the butler." + +"Oh, I think you're right. Tell me, how did you find out about the +lemonade?" + +"I overheard the Lawsons talking, yesterday. Made it my business in +fact. It seems that Mrs. Lawson has had the idea that if Janet Jordan +was only shamming sleep at that meeting, she would do her best to +communicate with her father in some way. The natural thing to do would +be to write a note and slip it in his hand or his pocket, when he came +to see her. Martin Lawson was sure he would detect anything of the kind +when he brought Jordan to say goodbye to Janet tonight at the flat. If +not, the plan was to drug the girl with hot lemonade so that Mrs. Lawson +could search her belongings for the note tonight." + +Dorothy nodded. "I watched her closely while she was in here, and so far +as I could make out she didn't find anything that interested her +particularly. The Lawsons must have guessed wrong about Janet writing +her father." + +"Well, no, they didn't," declared her new ally. "Janet wrote a letter, +just as they surmised." + +"But where could it be?" asked Dorothy in a startled whisper, and sat +bold upright in bed. + +"Probably destroyed by this time," Mr. Tunbridge chuckled. "There's no +need to worry on that score, Miss Dixon. When Ashton Sanborn spoke to +your cousin this afternoon by means of Howard Bright's headphone set, he +learned that Janet proposed doing just what this clever pair here +figured upon. Of course she had already written the note, and as there +was no safe way to get rid of it in her room, he told her to take it +with her when she left. And now if you'll be good enough, I wish you'd +tell me what happened after you took her place in the flat." + +Dorothy gave him a short sketch of her encounter with her uncle and +Martin Lawson in Janet's room, and of the conversation between the two +men in the corridor afterward. "All the way up here," she ended, "I +pretended I had a grouch. Mr. Lawson tried to start a conversation +several times, but he soon found it wasn't much fun talking to himself +and he gave it up as a bad job." + +"Excellent," applauded the secret service man, "and quite in keeping +with your behavior in the flat. You have done most remarkably well, Miss +Dixon. Only--you won't mind if I warn you not to let first success make +you careless." + +"Do you really believe that these people mean to do away with me if they +discover I am not what I appear to be, Mr. Tunbridge? It sounds a bit +too melodramatic, don't you think?" + +"These Lawsons, husband and wife, are playing for gigantic stakes." The +detective's voice, though barely audible was extremely grave. "They will +stop at nothing. When crooks have at least two murders behind them, +they're not likely to stop at a third." + +"Then--then they are _not_ what they pretend?" + +"Certainly not. They're a pair of high class European crooks named +du Val." + +Dorothy shuddered. "And _murderers_!" + +"Undoubtedly. They're wanted both in England and in Austria for their +crimes." + +"How did you find that out?" + +"Oh, you see I recognized them when I arrived here, Miss Dixon." + +"But--but I can't see why--why you didn't arrest them then and there! +You knew that they were after the secret of Doctor Winn's new explosive, +or whatever it is he has invented." + +"Yes, we realized that the formula for Doctor Winn's explosive gas was +the magnet that drew the du Vals to this house; but until today we had +no idea how they proposed to dispose of the formula after stealing it." + +"I see. And now you realize that they probably intend to sell it to the +organization of which my uncle is a member?" + +"You are right, Miss Dixon." + +"Then why can't you arrest the Lawsons now?" + +"We can take the Lawsons at any time," Tunbridge explained. "But we want +to catch the ringleader of this organization. We know the group exists +and for no good purpose, but what their definite object may be we still +have no means of telling. We can't arrest them on suspicion alone. Once +they actually buy the formula from the Lawsons, it will be quite a +different matter." + +She shook her head slowly. "But why hasn't the formula been stolen +before this? They've had plenty of opportunity, surely--" + +"Because it is not completed. At dinner tonight I heard the Doctor say +that by tomorrow afternoon the work would be finished, and that he +expected to take the formula to Washington the day after tomorrow." + +"Then you expect?--" + +"I expect that the Lawsons will make their attempt tomorrow night." + +"And where do I come in on this business, Mr. Tunbridge?" + +"You are going to take the plans from Doctor Winn's safe before the +Lawsons get to it." + +She drew her breath sharply. "That's a pretty large order--" + +"I know it, but--of course you'll have the combination of the safe--" + +"Are you going to give it to me now?" + +"Too dangerous. They are quite capable of searching your belongings +again--or your person, for that matter--at any time. I'll get it to you +with exact instructions just as soon as the Doctor completes that +blooming formula and locks it in the safe." + +"That's all very well, Mr. Tunbridge. But has it occurred to you that if +I steal this paper--I suppose it will be a paper?--" + +"Probably several of them--" + +"Well, if I take these papers before the Lawsons can get them, how are +you going to arrest my uncle and the other men?" + +"You," directed Tunbridge, "will simply make a copy and replace the +original documents where you found them. This is a safety-first move. We +must have a copy in case the originals are destroyed." + +"It looks like a very complicated matter to me," Dorothy admitted +candidly. "Why not put the old gentleman wise? After all, it's his +formula, and if he made his own copy it would save us a possible run-in +with the Lawsons, and--" + +Mr. Tunbridge stood up. "Perhaps you're right," he said, making a brave +attempt to stifle a yawn, "but Doctor Winn would never agree to it. For +a scientist who dabbles in high explosives, he's the most nervous man +I've ever met. He'd give the whole show away. No, that's out of the +question. Doctor Winn must be kept in ignorance of the whole proceeding. +And now--" a yawn got the better of him this time-- "and now to bed. You +need sleep even more than advice just now. Good night, or rather, good +morning, Miss Dixon. Pleasant dreams, I hope." + +He started toward the door and Dorothy sprang out of bed and reached for +her dressing gown. + +"I want to see that secret passage, Mr. Tunbridge," she said in a low +tone. + +"Oh, yes, come along." He opened the door and stepped inside the closet. +"It works this way. Press your foot on the board in the farthest right +hand corner, like this, and a panel in the back wall slides up--like +that--" + +Dorothy stared at the gaping black hole, then as the detective-butler +snapped on his flashlight she saw that a narrow circular staircase led +downward in the wall. + +"That stair curves down to the ground floor," he explained. "It comes +out through the side wall inside the big fireplace in the hall. To open +the panel down there you press a button under the left-hand corner of +the mantel. To close either panel you simply put it down, once you're +inside." + +"Are there any more of these passages in the walls?" + +"Very likely, but I haven't found them yet. Winncote is an exact copy of +the Doctor's ancestral home in Wales. Those old houses were honeycombed +with priest holes, secret passages and whatnot. And Doctor Winn had his +architect copy the original Winncote across the water down to the last +stone, with modern improvements such as bathrooms and steam heat, +added." + +"Funny old fellow, isn't he?" commented Dorothy sleepily. "Then I'm +simply to carry on until I hear from you again?" + +"That's right. But whatever you do, watch your step with the Lawson +woman. She is fully as heartless as she is beautiful. If you had never +heard of that meeting in the Jordans' flat, it would be much better for +you. She will try to trap you, so please be on your guard continually. +Well, good night, again." + +"Good night, Mr. Tunbridge." + +The panel in the back wall of the closet slid into place, and Dorothy +went back to bed. She realized now that this matter of impersonating her +cousin was not going to prove to be the easy job she had fancied. A slip +on her part now would not only put her own life in danger, it would +probably ruin all government plans to apprehend these desperate +criminals. + +At last she fell into a troubled sleep wherein she dreamed that a long +circular staircase curved round and round her bedroom, and that Mrs. +Lawson, dressed as a butler, had set her to watch every step of it. + + + + + Chapter XI + + GRETCHEN + + +Dorothy awoke from troubled dreams to find that it was another day. +Through the open window she saw the swirl of snowflakes driven in a high +wind. The bedroom was cold and in the grey light of the winter morning +it had lost its cheerful air. + +She heard a knock on the door. + +"Who's there?" she called drowsily. + +"It's the maid, miss. Mrs. Lawson thought you might be wanting your +breakfast now." + +Dorothy looked at her wrist watch. The hands marked ten-thirty. She +jumped out on the rug, which felt cold and clammy under her bare feet, +went to the door and unlocked it. Then she scampered back to bed and +snuggled under the warm covers. + +In walked a trim little figure wearing the small white apron and gray +uniform of a chambermaid. Dorothy saw a round merry face, and a pair of +big blue eyes beneath the white lawn cap, and thick flaxen braids were +coiled round the neat head. She was surprised and somehow pleased to +discover that this attractive member of the household staff could not be +much more than sixteen, just her own age. + +The little maid shut the door softly, crossed to the window and closed +it, turned on the steam heat and came to the bedside. "Good morning, +Miss Jordan." She smiled engagingly. "I'm Gretchen, miss. Will you have +your breakfast in bed?" + +"Why, thank you, Gretchen--that will be cozy. But if it's going to give +you any trouble, don't bother." With the covers drawn up to her eyes, +Dorothy smiled back at the girl. + +"Oh, no, miss--it's no trouble at all." Gretchen was insistent. "It's +all ready now. I'll run down and bring it up." + +She whisked out of the room and Dorothy rolled over for another cat-nap. + +"If you'll be good enough to sit up now, Miss Jordan--I have your +breakfast here." + +Dorothy awoke again, yawned and stretched luxuriously. Gretchen stood +beside her bed with the breakfast tray. + +"If you'll be good enough to sit up, miss?" she repeated. + +Dorothy punched the pillows into position behind her, slipped the +quilted gown about her shoulders and leaned back. Gretchen moved +nearer--then almost dropped the tray. + +"Why--why--miss--" + +Dorothy leaned over and steadied the tray. "What's the matter, +Gretchen?" The little maid was staring at her open-mouthed, her big blue +eyes as round as saucers. + +"Oh, I--I beg your pardon, but it's--it's the resemblance, miss--Miss +Jordan." She set the tray over Dorothy's knees and drew back still with +that astonished look. "I couldn't see you very well before, miss, with +the covers up to your eyes. But when you sat up, it sure did give me a +start." + +"What do you mean, Gretchen? The resemblance to whom?" Dorothy, +outwardly calm, fingered her glass of orange juice, but her thoughts +raced toward this new complication. + +"Why, you look so much like Dorothy Dixon--the flyer, you know, miss. +She's my hero--I mean, heroine, Miss Jordan. I've read everything the +newspapers printed about her and Bill Bolton. You must have read about +them too, everybody has?" + +"Oh, yes, I've heard about them." Dorothy hoped her tone sounded +indifferent. "But you know, Gretchen, newspaper pictures are often very +poor likenesses." + +The girl smiled and nodded. "I know that, Miss Jordan. I've got them all +and there isn't no two of the pictures that looks alike." + +"Then how--?" + +"You see, it wasn't the newspaper pictures I was thinking of, miss, but +Dorothy Dixon herself. You see I know Miss Dixon," she went on proudly, +"and you two are certainly the spittin' images of each other, if you +don't mind my saying so." + +Dorothy minded very much, but it was not consistent with the part she +was playing to admit it. Here was a contretemps not even Ashton Sanborn +had foreseen. Yet, of course, New Canaan was only ten miles away. She +had many friends in Ridgefield, and she'd been there hundreds of times. +But she simply couldn't remember having seen Gretchen in any of their +homes. Her answer was but a feeble stall for time. + +"So you know her then?" she said lamely. + +"Oh, yes, miss. Not well, you understand. I saw her and Mr. Bill Bolton +first when they finished the endurance test on the Conway motor this +fall. Then a few days later, I drove over to her house in our +flivver--over to New Canaan, you know, and I called on Miss Dixon. I +wanted her to autograph a picture of herself I'd cut out of the Sunday +paper." + +"And you met her?" Dorothy remembered the incident perfectly now. But +the maid's uniform--and her hair--when she had seen her, Gretchen had +worn two braids over her shoulders, very much the schoolgirl. No wonder +she hadn't recognized her. But now what should she do? Would it be +possible to keep up this camouflage with a girl whom she had met and +with whom she would come in daily contact? Gretchen was talking again. + +"Yes indeed, I met her. And she was just darling to me, Miss Jordan. She +even gave me one of her own photographs and wrote on it, too. You see, +us Schmidts came over from Germany about a hundred years ago, but we're +honest-to-goodness Americans just the same. Father was in the American +army during the war. He was an aviation mechanic. He found one of them +Iron Crosses of the Germans on some battlefield in France and kept it +for a mascot. And would you believe it, miss, Father never even got +wounded once, the whole time he was over there! Perhaps it was the +little Iron Cross, and perhaps it wasn't. Anyway, he thought a lot of +his mascot. When I was ten years old, he had it fixed on a thin gold +chain for me to wear around my neck, and gave it to me on my birthday. +Well, when I went to see Miss Dixon this fall, I took it with me. She +goes up in her airplane so much and does so many other exciting things, +I wanted her to have it. She didn't want to take the cross at first, but +I persuaded her to, just the same. And you don't know how nice she was +to me, Miss! Took me out to see Will-o-the-Wisp--that's her plane, you +know--she calls it Wispy for short. And I had a perfectly grand time. +She's my heroine, all right. And you, miss--I hope you'll excuse me for +talking so much about it--but you look exactly like her, and your voices +are just the same, too. It's wonderful!" + +"So you are Margaret Schmidt," Dorothy said slowly. + +"Yes, miss, that is so, though everybody calls me Gretchen. How did you +know my given name, Miss Jordan? Is Miss Dixon a friend of yours? Did +she tell you about me? But that's silly--she wouldn't remember me." + +Dorothy looked the little maid straight in the eyes. "She remembers you, +Gretchen. Would you be willing to do something for her--to keep a +secret, a very important and maybe a dangerous one? Do you think you +could do it?" + +Gretchen looked awestruck, then she smiled. "Mother says I'm the +closest-mouthed girl she ever saw, miss. They could cut me in pieces +before I ever let out any secret of Dorothy Dixon's. I'd never tell--not +me! You can trust me, Miss Jordan." + +"I'm sure I can, Gretchen. And I'm going to." Dorothy slipped her hand +into the V-neck of her pajamas. "Remember this?" + +"Why--it's--it's my Iron Cross--that I gave Dorothy Dixon. How in the +world--?" + +"I am Dorothy Dixon." Dorothy broke into laughter at the bewildered +expression on the girl's face. + +"But--but I don't understand!" Gretchen stammered as though her tongue +was half-paralyzed. "I knew the resemblance was wonderful--but--they +said you were Miss Janet Jordan--and--" + +"You sit down on the end of the bed," said Dorothy, "I'll go on with my +breakfast before it gets cold, and explain at the same time. We won't be +disturbed, will we?" + +"Oh, no, miss." + +"How about your work, Gretchen? Will you be wanted downstairs?" + +"Mr. Tunbridge told me to unpack your trunk, miss--Miss Dixon--and to +make myself generally useful." + +"Fine," smiled Dorothy, pouring out a cup of coffee. "But keep on +calling me Miss Jordan--otherwise you'll be making slips in the name in +front of other people and that would be fatal." + +"Yes, Miss Jordan," Gretchen grinned happily. + +"After this beastly business is over," Dorothy went on, "we'll be +Gretchen and Dorothy to each other." + +The other girl looked a trifle embarrassed. "But I'm only a chambermaid, +Miss Jordan," she said shyly. + +"Don't be silly!" Dorothy waved away the argument with a sweep of her +spoon. "You're proving yourself a real friend--and that's that." + +"Very well, Miss Jordan." + +"Now pin back your ears, Gretchen." Dorothy lifted the cover from her +scrambled eggs. "I am taking my cousin, Janet Jordan's place as Mrs. +Lawson's secretary. Nobody in this house knows who I am except Mr. +Tunbridge, nor must they be given the slightest hint that I am anybody +but Janet Jordan. As you've probably guessed, Janet and I look almost +exactly alike. Our mothers were twins and that probably accounts for +it." + +"Gee--" breathed Gretchen. "It's just like a story in a book!" + +Dorothy bit into a slice of buttered toast. "Maybe it is," she admitted, +speaking with her mouth full. "But the point is that you and I are +living this story and it may come to a very abrupt and unpleasant ending +unless we're both terribly careful. Let's see--where was I? Oh, yes. Mr. +Tunbridge and I are working together on this case, working for the +United States Government." + +"Secret Service?" asked Gretchen in an awed whisper. + +"Yes." + +"Then I'll be working for the secret service too?" Dorothy could see +that the girl was very much impressed with the idea. + +"You will, Gretchen--that is, you are--under me. But don't get too +pepped up about it. The work we are on is serious and it is extremely +dangerous into the bargain. I wouldn't have brought you into it unless I +had to. Right now I haven't the slightest notion how you are going to be +fitted into the picture. But I couldn't have you going around, talking +about how much Janet Jordan looks like Dorothy Dixon, could I? Doctor +Winn and the Lawsons have no idea of either the resemblance or the +relationship. If that came out and they got wind of it--well, there's no +telling what might happen." + +"Especially," chimed in Gretchen, "after all the detective work you did +in those three big cases over to New Canaan this summer and fall." + +"You've got it," declared Dorothy, and sipped her coffee. "A robbery is +being planned here, Gretchen, a robbery of some very valuable papers +from Doctor Winn's safe. The thieves will probably try to pull it off +tonight. These papers, which have to do with an invention of the +Doctor's are worth a million dollars or more to any number of people. So +you see the thieves are playing for big stakes, and I might as well tell +you that they aren't the kind that would let a thing like murder stop +them. And now that you know the facts, are you willing to go on with +it?" + +Gretchen seemed horrified that Dorothy should doubt her. "Oh, Miss +Jordan, I don't want to get murdered any more than anybody else--but, +I'm not afraid--honest I'm not!" + +"I knew you were true blue," smiled Dorothy. "So we'll call it a deal, +shall we?" + +"You bet!" The two girls solemnly shook hands. "What do you want me to +do first, Miss Jordan?" Gretchen asked eagerly. + +"Move this tray onto the chair over there, please. Then while I'm taking +a bath and dressing you might unpack Janet Jordan's clothes. I'll choose +something to wear later." + +"Very good, Miss Jordan." The little maid took the tray, then stopped +short, her round blue eyes very serious. "But what about the secret +service work?" + +"Just carry on as usual for the present." Dorothy slipped out of bed. +"And remember--not a word to anyone about what I've told you--not even +Mr. Tunbridge. I don't know myself exactly what I'm to do yet. Mrs. +Lawson expects me downstairs in about half an hour, so I've got to +hustle. If I need your help later on, I'll get word to you somehow." + +"I hope you will need me, Miss Jordan." Gretchen was taking Janet's +frocks from the wardrobe trunk. + +"And I hope I shan't!" said Dorothy, and she disappeared into the +bathroom. + + + + + Chapter XII + + TESTS + + +Dorothy came down the wide staircase a few minutes before eleven-thirty. +She wore a dark blue morning frock of her cousin's, its simplicity +relieved only by the soft white collar and deep cuffs. Except for being +rather tight across the shoulders it fitted her as though she had been +poured into it. She had selected this dress because she knew it was just +the sort of thing a new secretary would be expected to wear. + +She crossed the broad hall to the open door of the library, and there +found Mrs. Lawson standing before a window staring into the storm. +Although Dorothy's footsteps made practically no sound on the thick pile +of the handsome Bokhara rug, the woman turned like a flash at her +entrance. + +"Oh, good morning, Janet." The frown on her face gave way to a pleasant +smile. "I hope you were comfortable last night. Did you sleep well?" + +"I dropped off as soon as my head touched the pillow," she answered, +taking Mrs. Lawson's outstretched hand. Dorothy did not believe in +telling a lie unless it was in a good cause; but when necessary, she +invariably made the lie a good one. + +"I hope the storm didn't wake you," smiled Laura, holding Dorothy's +hand. + +Dorothy did not reply at once. Two long fingers were lightly pressing +her wrist, and she saw that Mrs. Lawson's eyes had strayed to the +grandfather's clock in the corner of the room. "Test number one," she +said to herself. "Mrs. du Val, alias Lawson is counting my pulse. Well, +I've got a clear conscience, perhaps I can give her a shock." She drew +her hand away and answered the woman's question in her normal voice. +"Oh, the storm! No, I never heard it, Mrs. Lawson. If that hot lemonade +had been drugged, I couldn't have slept any sounder!" + +"What makes you say that?" snapped her employer, and beneath the velvet +tone, Dorothy sensed the ring of steel. + +She dropped her eyes, and turning toward the open hearth, held out her +hands to the crackling blaze. "Oh, I don't know," she said sweetly and +like the clever little strategist that she was, opened her own offensive +in the enemy's territory. "I have the bad habit of occasionally walking +in my sleep, Mrs. Lawson--and especially when I spend the night in a +strange bed. Perhaps it's nervousness--I don't know." + +Mrs. Lawson threw her a sharp glance. "Sit down, Janet," she suggested, +pointing to a chair near the fire, and taking one herself across the +hearth. "You're--I mean, you don't seem to be at all nervous this +morning." + +"Good old pulse!" thought Dorothy. Then aloud--"No, I feel splendidly, +thank you. But, you see, I didn't walk in my sleep last night." + +"But surely you can't tell when you do it!" + +"Oh, yes, I can." Dorothy's manner and tone were those of the simple +schoolgirl proud of an unusual accomplishment. + +"You don't expect me to believe that you know what you're doing when you +walk in your sleep, Janet. That's impossible!" + +"Not while I'm sleepwalking, Mrs. Lawson. That wasn't what I said--but +when I have been sleepwalking--there's a difference, you see?" + +"Well?" The lady of the house objected to being contradicted and took no +trouble to hide it. + +"It's really very simple," explained Dorothy, painstakingly, as though +she were speaking to a rather stupid child. "I found out how to do it. +You see, I've been walking in my sleep ever since I was a little thing. +When I get in bed at night I leave my slippers on the floor beside it +pointed outward--away from the bed. We all leave them that way, I guess. +It's the natural thing to do." + +"But what have slippers got to do with it?" Laura was becoming +impatient. + +"Everything, so far as I'm concerned, Mrs. Lawson. When I've been +walking at night, I always find them in the morning beside the bed, but +pointing _toward_ it. I evidently slip them off before I get back into +bed, and--" + +"I'm beginning to think you are quite a clever girl, Janet." + +"Oh, thank you," said Dorothy with a guilelessness that was sheer +camouflage. "Has anybody been saying I'm stupid? I've always stood high +in my classes at school." + +"Oh, not stupid, child--but nervous--perhaps a little unbalanced, +especially this past week." + +Dorothy raised her heavy lashes and looked Mrs. Lawson squarely in the +face. This might be a test she was undergoing and it probably was; but +here was a heaven sent chance to stir up discord in the enemy's camp. +She must work up to it gradually. + +"I know that I was nervous and upset past all endurance." She leaned +forward, her hands on the arms of the chair. "How would you like your +father to lock you in your bedroom for a week, without ever coming to +see you, or giving you any explanation for such outrageous treatment? Am +I a child to be handled like that? To be shipped up here to strangers, +whether I wanted to go or not? How would you feel about it, Mrs. Lawson, +if you were me? Don't say you would submit to it sitting down." + +"But I am taking you on as my secretary," the lady hedged. "Offering you +a good position for which you'll be paid twenty dollars a week. That's +not to be thought of lightly, especially in these times." + +"But it doesn't seem to strike you that I might like to have something +to say about it," Dorothy replied calmly. "As for the salary--that's no +inducement. My mother left me five thousand a year. I came into the +income on my last birthday, so you see I have nearly a hundred dollars a +week, whether I work or not." + +"I didn't know that, of course," Mrs. Lawson admitted and none too +graciously. "Your father wants you to be here while he's away. I hope +you aren't going to be difficult, Janet." + +"I hope not, Mrs. Lawson. I shall be glad to stay here for a while and +do the work you'd planned for me; but if I do, it must be as a guest and +not as a paid dependant." + +"But you are a guest, Janet." + +"I shall not accept a salary, Mrs. Lawson." + +"Very well, my dear, if you wish it that way." + +"Thank you very much." + +"To get back to our former topic," Mrs. Lawson said, and lit a +cigarette. "I can understand that your father's conduct in confining you +to your room might be exasperating--but why should it make you nervous? +And my husband tells me that when he visited you in your room you acted +as though you were in deadly fear of something or somebody every time he +saw you. What was the trouble, Janet? Was anything worrying you?" + +"Yes, there was, Mrs. Lawson." + +Dorothy looked down at the andirons, and her hands on the chair arms +twisted embarrassedly. From the corner of her eye she saw a smile of +satisfaction light up the older woman's face. She knew she was playing +with fire and that Mrs. Lawson was watching her as a hawk watches its +defenseless prey before it strikes. But all unknown to her inquisitor, +Dorothy had been leading her into this trap as a move forward in her own +game. Genuine dislike for the woman as well as a mischievous impulse on +her part drew her to make the scene as dramatic and convincing as +possible. + +"Yes--I--I--was afraid," she went on, dragging out the words slowly. + +"Then don't you think you'd better tell me about it, Janet? I'm nearly +old enough to be your mother. Let me take your mother's place, dear. +Give me your confidence. I feel sure I'll be able to help you, child." + +This reference to Janet's dead mother by a woman who was the vilest kind +of a hypocrite swept away Dorothy's last compunction. She herself was +going to commit justifiable libel. Mrs. Lawson, on the other hand, was +attempting to lead Janet Jordan into a confession of shamming sleep at +the fateful meeting a week ago. And such a confession meant a sentence +of death from this beautiful siren who gazed at her so winningly, who +puffed a cigarette so nonchalantly while she waited for an unsuspecting +girl to commit herself. + +"Well, I don't know--I can't help hesitating to tell _you_, Mrs. +Lawson," Dorothy began timidly. + +"There's no need to be afraid of anything," replied the woman, only half +veiling the sneer that went with the words. + +"Oh, but you see, there is, Mrs. Lawson!" Dorothy's manner was still +indecisive. "I don't want--in fact, I hate awfully to hurt you this +way." + +"Hurt me!" Mrs. Lawson's cigarette snapped into the fireplace like a +miniature comet. "Hurt me, child? What in the wide world are you talking +about?" + +"Just what I say, Mrs. Lawson." + +Mrs. Lawson sniffed. "Don't be ridiculous, Janet. Out with it now. What +did you fear when you were locked in your room?" + +"Your husband, Mrs. Lawson." + +"My husband!" + +"Yes." + +"But--why--I don't believe you." + +"Oh, very well. You asked the question, I was trying to answer it, +that's all." + +Mrs. Lawson bit her lip. She was furious. "As long as you've said what +you have, you'd better go on with it," she said acidly. + +"There isn't any more," returned Dorothy. "That's all there is." + +"But surely he must have given you reasons for your assertion." Mrs. +Lawson had walked beautifully into Dorothy's trap. Her own plan to snare +an unsuspecting girl had been blotted out by the shadow of the Green +Goddess, Jealousy. "Tell me what my husband did or said to make you fear +him, and tell me at once." + +"It wasn't what he did, Mrs. Lawson--it was the way he looked." + +"What do you mean--the way he looked?" + +Dorothy had thrust a painful knife into the mental cosmos of her +adversary. Now she deliberately turned it in the wound. "Very probably," +she said quietly, looking her straight in the eyes, "you can remember +how Mr. Lawson looked when he first made love to you. I don't want to be +made love to, and I don't like _him_, Mrs. Lawson." + +"What did you do?" + +"I told him to leave me--and when he would not go, I simply walked into +my bathroom and locked the door." + +"But what happened the next time he came? Martin went in to see you +every day, didn't he?" + +"He did. But he talked to me through the bathroom door. Just as soon as +I heard the key turn in the lock I'd hop in there." + +The man she had been talking about must have been listening just outside +in the hall, for now he strode into the room and up to Dorothy. "That," +he said menacingly, "is a deliberate lie, Miss Janet Jordan!" + + + + + Chapter XIII + + WINNITE + + +Dorothy looked up and smiled carelessly at the man. "You're very polite, +Mr. Lawson. Perhaps it isn't my place to say it to a man old enough to +be my father--but eavesdroppers rarely hear good of themselves." + +Martin Lawson, who prided himself upon his youthful appearance, grew +angrier than ever. "I--I won't stand for such outrageous libel," he +thundered. "I've always treated you as though you were my own--well, +daughter, if you like." + +"I _don't_ like it, Mr. Lawson--but that doesn't make any difference," +Dorothy's tone was one of pained acceptance. "If you listened long +enough, you will know that I didn't bring this matter up myself. Mrs. +Lawson was asking questions and I was trying to answer them, that's all. +If you prefer it, I'll say that it was the wind whistling outside the +windows that made me afraid." She looked over at Mrs. Lawson, who was +watching them through half shut eyes, as though to say, "--you +understand, of course--anything for peace." + +Martin Lawson intercepted the glance and became even more furious, if +that were possible. "You--you little viper!" he snarled. "Laura, don't +you believe a word of it. The whole thing's her own invention--a pack of +lies!" + +"A silly schoolgirl fancy, if you like, Martin." Laura Lawson's tone was +expressionless. "But I can understand it just the same. Yes, I can +understand it." + +"What do you mean--you understand it?" + +"I was a girl once myself," she replied in the same colorless tone. "And +then, you see, I know you very, very well." + +"Oh, you do, do you?" + +"He's off again," sighed Dorothy, but quite to herself. + +"And you have the nerve to insinuate--?" the angry man went on, beside +himself with rage. "You know as well as I do, Laura, that this girl was +afraid because of what she saw and heard at the meeting. She--" + +"That will be quite enough, Martin." His wife interrupted him sharply. +"And what is more--you probably have not noticed that since Janet has +been here and with other people, she is very much herself--and afraid of +nothing at all." + +"What meeting is he talking about, Mrs. Lawson?" Dorothy pointedly +ignored the angry husband. + +Mrs. Lawson stood up. "Never mind that now," she decreed, albeit +pleasantly. "Come along with me to my office. I have some typing I'd +like you to do for me before luncheon. Martin!" She swung round on her +husband. "You will wait here for me. I'll be back in a few minutes--I +want to talk to you." She slipped her arm through Dorothy's and drew her +from the room. + +Once in the entrance hall, she led her back and under the gallery to a +corridor which opened at the right of the broad stairs. Dorothy saw that +there were several doors in the right hand wall. Mrs. Lawson stopped at +the second of these and opened it. + +They walked in and Dorothy saw that they were in the office. It seemed +very businesslike and austere after coming from the luxury of the +library and spacious hall. Near the one window stood a broad table desk, +and opposite that a typewriter desk. Two steel filing cabinets and three +plain chairs completed the room's furnishings. The walls were hung with +framed blueprints and a large-scale map of Fairfield County, +Connecticut. + +Mrs. Lawson took some papers from a drawer in the large desk and handed +them to Dorothy. "This is in longhand, as you see," she explained, +"please type it, double space, and I'd like to have a carbon copy." She +glanced at a small wrist-watch set with diamonds. "It is just noon now. +Luncheon is at one. Do you think you can finish the work by that time?" + +Dorothy glanced at the manuscript. "This won't make more than four +typewritten sheets. I can do it easily in an hour and have time to +spare." + +"Good!" The older woman patted her lightly on the shoulder. "Take your +time about it. Do you think you can read my handwriting?" + +"Nothing could be plainer, Mrs. Lawson." Dorothy smiled back at her. + +"Very well, then. I'll see you at lunch. The dining room is across the +hall from the library." + +At the door, she stopped and turned as though she had just remembered +something. + +"Don't let what my husband said bother you, Janet." + +"That's forgotten already," Dorothy said easily. + +"Like most men, he flies off the handle when irritated. Pay no attention +to it." + +"I understand." + +Mrs. Lawson hesitated for the fraction of a second. "By the way, Janet," +she remarked. "When was the last time you walked in your sleep--that you +found your slippers pointed toward your bed in the morning?" + +Dorothy pretended to think. "Let me see," she said slowly. "Yes--it was +the night before Daddy locked me in my room! I found that I couldn't get +out in the morning, and naturally, I wanted to know the reason why. I +still do, for that matter. Except for some foolishness about my being +ill, I'm still waiting for an explanation. As a matter of fact, I was +perfectly well. I'm terribly annoyed, of course, and it worries me to +think that Daddy should act this way, but so far as my health goes, I've +never felt better." + +"I'm glad to hear it, dear. We'll check up on your father when he +returns. I'm your friend, you know. Don't let the matter prey on your +mind." + +"Thank you, Mrs. Lawson. I'll try to do as you say." Dorothy thought she +was going then, but it seemed that the woman had still another question +that she had been holding back. + +"When you are in this somnambulistic state," she said, "when you are +sleepwalking, I mean, doesn't it terrify you to awaken and find yourself +out of your bed?" + +Dorothy frowned and seemed puzzled. "Perhaps it would," she admitted. +"But then, you see, I can't remember ever wakening while I was walking +during the night. I must sleep very soundly. At school the night +watchman or one of the teachers would frequently find me walking about +the building. They would lead me back to bed, or just tell me to go +there, and I would always obey. Until they told me about it next day, I +knew nothing of course. That's how I got onto the business of the +slippers, you see." + +"Oh, yes. I wondered how you'd been able to check on it. Well, I must +trot along now and let you get to work. Until luncheon then, my dear." + +She was gone at last and Dorothy made a face at the closed door. "Of all +the plausible hypocrites I've ever met," she muttered, "you certainly +take the well known chocolate cake!" + +She sat down at the typewriter desk, pulled out the machine, and slipped +in two sheets of paper and a carbon that she found in one of the +drawers. Halfway through a perusal of Mrs. Lawson's first page, she +looked up. The door opened quickly and Mr. Tunbridge came into the room. + +"I've just a moment," he prefaced hurriedly. "They mustn't find me here. +What was the row in the library?" + +Dorothy explained briefly. + +"Fine! Put you through the hoops, eh? I had a good idea she would do +something of the kind. You came out of a difficult situation with flying +colors, I take it. But be careful about run-ins with Lawson. He's a +slick article--in fact, the two of them are a pair of the slickest +articles it's ever been my misfortune to run across. And they're going +it hammer and tongs in the library right now. I was a bit worried about +you, that's why I took this chance." + +"When do I get my instructions for tonight?" + +"Late this afternoon, probably. I'll get them to you somehow." + +"Thanks. And here's something else. This script I'm going to type for +Mrs. L. has to do with the properties of a highly explosive gas which +seems to burn up everything it comes in contact with and lets off fumes +of deadly poison while it's doing that! Shall I make a copy for you?" + +"Please do!" His hand rested on the doorknob. "Yes, it's important that +we have a copy. That's the stuff Doctor Winn has just invented, without +a doubt." + +"Awful!" exclaimed Dorothy. "Just think what would happen if that were +used in a war!" + +"That's the government's business, Miss Dixon." + +"'Ours but to do--and die--'" she quoted and her tone was deadly +serious. + +"Quite right. But make the carbon copy just the same--and don't let them +catch you at it." + +"I won't, Mr. Tunbridge." + +"Bye-bye, then. I'll get along now. There may be some home truths +floating out of the library that will give me extra dope on the +du-Val--Lawson pair." + +The door closed, and after slipping an extra carbon and a sheet of very +thin copy paper into the typewriter, Dorothy read Mrs. Lawson's treatise +on "Winnite and Its Properties" from start to finish. + +"Horrible!" she murmured, as she finished reading. "Simply horrible!" +Again her eyes sought the last paragraph. "The effect is easily +estimated of an airplane dropping a single bomb filled with the +explosive, inflammable and deadly poison gas, Winnite, upon Manhattan +Island, for instance: the bomb would explode upon detonation and within +an inconceivably short space of time, not only would the City of Greater +New York be in flames, but every living thing within that area would be +dead from the poison fumes. This includes not only human, animal and +insect life, but all vegetable matter as well." + +Dorothy sighed. "And I am supposed to help keep this terrible stuff from +the hands of thieves so that our government may use it in time of war. +Well--we'll see--and that's not that by a long shot!" + +She put down the manuscript and began to type it. + + + + + Chapter XIV + + PROFESSOR + + +Dorothy, upon finishing the article on Winnite, laid the original and +first carbon copy of the typewritten sheets on Mrs. Lawson's desk. The +almost transparent sheets of the second carbon copy she folded carefully +as though she meant to place them in an envelope. But instead of this, +her right foot slipped out of its walking pump, the sheer silk stocking +followed it. Then she put on the stocking again, but now the soft papers +rested between the stocking and the sole of her foot. The pump fitted +more snugly than before, although not uncomfortably so. Content with her +morning's work, she had closed the typewriter and was studying the +effect of a new shade of powder in her compact mirror when Mrs. Lawson +came into the room. + +"I take it you've finished the work?" + +"The original and copy are beside the longhand manuscript on your desk," +said Dorothy, toning down her efforts with the puff. "I've read it over +and I don't think you'll find any mistakes." + +Mrs. Lawson ran her eyes over the typewritten sheets. "They are without +a fault," she declared, placing them in a drawer. "If you take dictation +as accurately as you type, Janet, you'll be the perfect secretary." + +"Thank you," said Dorothy demurely and slipped the compact into the +pocket of her frock. "It is very nice of you to say that." + +"Then we'll go in to luncheon, shall we? That is, if you're ready?" + +Dorothy stood up. "Quite ready, Mrs. Lawson, and good and hungry, too." + +"Splendid!" enthused her hostess, as they walked down the corridor +toward the entrance hall. "Doctor Winn declares this Connecticut Ridge +country is the most healthful section of the United States. And even if +some people have other ideas on the subject, I can testify that it is a +great appetite builder." + +Dorothy smiled, but said nothing. She was wondering how healthful she +was going to find this particular spot in the Ridge country after what +she had to do tonight. + +"Doctor Winn always lunches in his study," continued Mrs. Lawson. "That +is the room just beyond my office. My husband has been called to New +York on business. He won't be back until after dinner tonight, so we +will be alone at luncheon." + +For some reason of her own, Laura Lawson had become affability itself. +And for this Dorothy gave thanks. That she disliked this truly beautiful +creature was only natural. But it is much more pleasant to lunch with a +person who puts herself out to be charming and affable, no matter what +your private opinion of the other's character may be. + +The dining room proved to be a low-ceiled apartment paneled in white +pine; heavy beams of the satin-finished wood overhead, and on the walls +several colorful landscapes in oils, evidently the works of artists who +knew and loved this Ridge country. A cheerful log fire burned brightly +on the open hearth beneath a high mantelpiece. Outside, the heavy snow +continued to drive past frosted window-panes, but within all was warmth +and coziness. + +Dorothy enjoyed the meal thoroughly. Like most girls, she revelled in +luxury when it came her way. Not only was her hostess an interesting and +entertaining conversationalist, the delicious food served by Tunbridge +and a second man in plum-colored knee breeches, added materially to her +pleasure. She was really sorry when the butler lighted his mistress' +cigarette and Mrs. Lawson rose from the table. + +"I have no work for you this afternoon, Janet," said the lady, as they +strolled into the spacious hall with its suits of polished armor and +trophies of war and the chase decorating the walls. "I have some work to +complete with Doctor Winn, so I won't be free to entertain you. There +are periodicals and novels in the library. If it weren't such a beastly +day, I would suggest a walk." + +"Oh, I don't mind a snowstorm!" Dorothy smiled at her. "I'd love to be +out in it for a while." + +"But I'm afraid you might get lost. The blizzard is driving out of the +northeast--and that means something in this country. You'll find it more +disagreeable than you think." + +"I'm not afraid to walk in a blizzard," Dorothy argued, "we used to do +it a lot at school--I love it." + +"Oh, very well, then," went on Mrs. Lawson. "I used to enjoy that sort +of thing myself. Somebody had better go with you, though. Let me see--" +She hesitated. "Oh, yes--Gretchen will be just the person. She's a nice +little thing--a native of Ridgefield, you know. Gretchen can show you +round the place, and there'll be no chance of your getting lost." + +Dorothy was amused by this pretended concern for her safety. She knew +that Mrs. Lawson feared she might take it into her head to walk to the +railroad station and board the first train back to town. Gretchen as +guide and chaperone would be able to forestall anything like that. Mrs. +Lawson was not yet sure of the new secretary! + +Dorothy's features betrayed no sign of her thoughts. "That will be ever +so much pleasanter than going alone," she agreed. "Gretchen seems to be +a sweet girl. I saw her this morning when she brought my breakfast and +unpacked my clothes. I'm sorry, though, that you can't come too." +Deception, she found, was becoming a habit when treating with her +hostess. + +"Thank you, my dear--I'm sorry, too." Mrs. Lawson went toward the +tasselled bell rope that hung beside the fireplace. "Run upstairs now +and get into warm things. I'll ring for Gretchen and have her meet you +down here in quarter of an hour." + +Fifteen minutes afterward, warmly dressed in whipcord jodhpurs, a heavy +sweater and knee-length leather coat of dark green, Dorothy came out of +her room onto the gallery, pulling a white wool skating cap well down +over her ears. With a white wool scarf twisted about her throat, the +long ends thrown back over her shoulders, she looked ready for any +winter sport as she ran lightly down the stairs, the rubber soles of her +high arctics making no sound on the broad oaken steps. + +Gretchen, well bundled up in sweater and heavy tweed skirt was waiting +for her. + +"You certainly do look like a picture on a Christmas magazine cover, +Miss Jordan," the girl exclaimed, while they walked to the front door. +"I'm glad you've got warm gauntlets. It's mighty cold out--you'll need +them." + +Dorothy laughed gaily and swung open the door. "Nothing could be more +becoming than your own costume, Gretchen. That light blue skating set is +just the color of your eyes." + +"That," chuckled Gretchen, "is the real reason I bought it." + +They were outside now and standing under the wide porte-cochere of glass +and wrought iron. + +"It's glorious out here, and not too cold, either." Dorothy sniffed the +sharp air enthusiastically. "I hate staying indoors on a wild day like +this. Look at those big flakes spinning down and sideslipping into the +drifts. It makes one glad to be alive." + +"You said it, Miss Jordan. I love it myself--though I never thought of +snowflakes being like airplanes before. Which way do you want to go?" + +"You're the leader, Gretchen. Anywhere you say suits me." + +"Then let's tramp over to the pond, Miss Jordan. The ice ought to be +holding. We'll stop at the garage and fetch a broom along. There's too +much snow for skating, but we might make a slide." + +"That will be fun," agreed Dorothy, as they came down the steps and +swung along the white expanse of driveway. "I haven't done anything like +that since I was a kid. How far's the pond from here?" + +"About half a mile. Doctor Winn owns several hundred acres. It's down +yonder in a hollow. This time of year when the trees are bare, you can +see it plainly from the house. Today there's too much snow." + +"There certainly is plenty of it!" Dorothy was ploughing through the +fluffy white mass nearly up to her knees. "A good eighteen inches must +have fallen already and it's drifting fast. If it doesn't stop by +tonight, Winncote will be snowed in for a while. What's that building +over there, Gretchen--gray stone, isn't it?" + +"That's the laboratory, miss. It's really a wing of the house. The +stables are just beyond, but this storm's so thick, it blots them out. +Well, here we are at the garage. If you'll wait a minute, I'll step +inside and get a broom." + +"Get two if you can," suggested Dorothy. "Then we'll both get some +exercise, and they'll come in handy while we're getting through the +drifts." + +"I'll do my best," said Gretchen. She disappeared through a door in the +side of the building. + +Dorothy looked about her. Rolling clouds of windswept snowflakes made it +impossible to see objects more than a few yards away with any +distinctness. The dark shadow of low clouds painted the white of her +landscape a cold, dull gray. But she noticed, as she waited, that the +storm was driving in gusts, that occasionally there would be a short +lull when the sun, tinging the sky with rose and yellow, seemed fighting +to break its way through to this white-blanketed world. Then Gretchen, a +broom in each hand, joined her. + +"Whew! that place was stuffy," she said, handing one of the brooms to +Dorothy, and starting ahead at right angles from the way they had come. +"Hanley made a fuss giving me two--he would! It's a wonder the cars +don't melt in there. He keeps the place like an oven. All the help from +the city is like that. They can't seem to get warm enough, and the way +they hate fresh air is a caution! I roomed with Sadie, the other +chambermaid, when I first came, and you won't believe it, but that girl +had nailed our window shut so it couldn't be opened! I spoke to Mr. +Tunbridge next morning, and he gave me a room of my own. I always did +like Mr. Tunbridge. He's a real gentleman, he is." + +They forged ahead through the drifts to the crossfire of Gretchen's +light chatter, and Dorothy was given a series of entertaining stories +concerning the habits of the Winncote servants and their life +below-stairs. It was rough going with the storm in their faces, and +Gretchen eventually ceased her gossiping from sheer lack of breath. The +ground began to slope gently downward, and finally they came to a belt +of trees in a hollow. Fifty yards farther on, a broad expanse of white +marked the extent of Winncote Pond beneath its thick, flat quilt of +snow. + +"Think the ice will hold?" Dorothy walked to the brink of the little +lake. "I'd hate to go in on a day like this." + +"Oh, that's all right. I was down here for an hour yesterday afternoon +with my skates before the snow began, and it was much warmer then. The +ice was wonderful--slick as glass and solid as a rock." + +By dint of considerable exercise they cleared two narrow paths that ran +parallel across the ice. Then they commenced a series of sliding +contests, each girl on her own ice track. Starting at a line in the snow +a few yards above the low bank, they would race forward to the brink and +shoot out on the ice, vying with each other to see who could slide the +farthest. There were several tumbles at first, but the deep snow along +the sides of the tracks prevented bad bumps. Soon, however, they both +became adepts at the sport. Dorothy, aided by her extra weight, for she +was at least twenty pounds heavier than little Gretchen, invariably won. + +After a half an hour of this rather violent sport, they cleared the snow +from a fallen tree trunk and sat down for a rest. Here in the hollow, +surrounded by trees, the wind lost a great deal of its force. But the +snow continued to fall unabated, and their hot breath clouded like steam +in the cold air. Their cheeks were tingling crimson from the racing, and +both felt in high good spirits. + +"I can't understand why so many rich people go south every winter," +Gretchen said earnestly. "I wouldn't miss out on this fun--the snow and +the skating, tobogganing--for anything in the world." + +"People like that," decreed Dorothy, "just don't know how to live. You +can have lots of fun in summer, of course. I don't know which I love the +best. But this sort of thing makes you feel just grand. It certainly put +the pep into--." She stopped short and sprang to her feet. From +somewhere close by and seemingly below her, had come a low, moaning +sound. + +Gretchen jumped up. Her doll-like face with its round, blue eyes took on +a look of startled wonder. "What was that?" she cried. "It sounded as if +I--as if I was sitting on it!" + +Again came the low cry in a weird, minor key. + +"You were. It's coming from the inside of this log. An animal of some +kind." + +"Why, I guess you're right. Whatever it is, the thing gave me the +heebie-jeebies for a minute." + +The snow had drifted over the butt of the half-rotted tree. Dorothy took +her broom and swept it clear. + +"The log's hollow!" she exclaimed and bent down. "Yes, there's something +in there--I can see its eyes--come here, Gretchen! You can see for +yourself." + +"Not me!" declared that young woman. "I don't want to get bit--I mean, +bitten, miss." + +"Oh, never mind the grammar." Dorothy was almost standing on her head, +trying to get a better view. "But do cut out the polite trimmings when +we're alone. You're Gretchen and I'm Dorothy--savez?" + +"All right--Dorothy. But please be careful. That thing may jump out at +you." + +"I wish it would. Then I'd know what it is. And whatever it is, the +animal in there can't be much bigger than a rabbit. The hole isn't wide +enough." + +"Maybe it is a rabbit." Gretchen came nearer. + +"Did you ever hear a rabbit make a noise like that?" Dorothy's tone was +disdainful. + +"Then--maybe it's a wildcat!" said Gretchen fearfully. + +"Well, if it is, it's a small one. Here, puss--puss. The silly thing is +too far in to reach. She just blinks at me." + +"Perhaps she's hurt and crawled in there to die, Dorothy." + +"Aren't you cheerful! She probably crawled in there to get out of the +storm, and is half-frozen, poor thing." + +"Well, I don't know what we're going to do about it," sighed Gretchen, +still keeping her distance. + +Once more the low moan came from the log, but now that the end was free +from snow, the sound was much clearer. + +"That's no wildcat, either!" Dorothy twisted her head, first to the +right, then to the left, in an attempt to get a better light on the +log's occupant. "There's too much of a whine in that cry. The thing's +probably a young fox. How does one call a fox, Gretchen? I'm hanged if I +know." + +"Nor me, neither, Dorothy. It's the first time I've ever heard of +anybody wanting to call one." + +They both laughed. "You don't seem to know much about foxes," teased +Dorothy. "Didn't you ever see a fox?" + +"No. But my father says the way they steal eggs and suck them is a +caution." + +"Well," admitted Dorothy, "we can't stand around here all day, trying to +get frozen foxes out of hollow logs. I'll try whistling, and you can +make a noise like a sucked egg. If that doesn't work, we'll have to +leave him in his lair." With a wink at the giggling Gretchen, she bent +down again and whistled shrilly. "Here, boy!" she called. "Come on out +to your mama!" + +There was a scrambling noise within the log, and Gretchen started for +the pond. + +"Oh, be careful, Dorothy! Do be careful!" she cried, as she saw her +friend gather a small creature into her arms. "What is it, anyway--is it +a fox?" + +"No, a first cousin." Dorothy shook the ends of her wool scarf free from +snow and wrapped them around the small animal. + +"A first cousin?" Gretchen came nearer. "What in the world do you mean +by that?" + +"Come and take a look," her friend invited. "He won't bite you, will +you, boy?" + +Gretchen saw her pat a little black nose that poked its way out of the +scarf. A long pointed head, brindle and white, in which were set two +snapping black eyes, followed the nose. "Why, why, it's a fox terrier--a +fox terrier puppy!" she gasped. "How do you suppose he ever came to +crawl into that log?" + +Dorothy patted the dog's head. "Got lost in the storm, I guess. The poor +little chap can't be over three months old. Does he belong up at the +house?" + +"No, he doesn't. What's more, none of the people who live around here +have a fox terrier pup that I know of." + +Dorothy examined the pup's front paws, but did so very gently. "This +little man has come a long way." She covered him again. "The bottom of +his feet show it. They're cut and badly swollen. And he's half-frozen +and starved into the bargain, I'll bet. Let's go back to the house and +make him comfortable." + +"I'll carry the brooms," said Gretchen. "You have an armful, with him. +By the way, you're going to keep him, aren't you?" + +"Surest thing you know! That is, unless someone comes to claim him." + +They trudged off through the trees and up the hill, Gretchen shouldering +the brooms. + +"What are you going to call him?" she asked, after a while. + +"What do you think?" + +"Why, I don't know. Wait a minute, though--there's a girl who lives over +in Silvermine named Dorothea Gutmann. Daddy sometimes does work for her +father. Dorothea has a fox terrier pup and she calls him 'Professor.' Do +you know why?" + +"I give up," said Dorothy, floundering through the snow beside her. "Why +does Dorothea Gutmann call her fox terrier pup Professor?" + +"Because," smiled Gretchen in delight, "he just about ate up a +dictionary!" + +Dorothy laughed merrily, and hugged the warm little bundle in her arms. +"And when you've got outside a lot of words like that, even a pup would +know as much as the average professor, I s'pose." + +"That's the way Dorothea thought about it. I've been over to the +Gutmanns a couple of times with Daddy and her dog looks enough like +yours to be a twin!" + +"We run into doubles nowadays, every day!" Dorothy chuckled. "First it's +Janet and me who can't be told apart. Then it's Dorothea's dog and mine. +I know her, too, by the way. She's in the New Canaan Junior High. But I +haven't seen her puppy. Our names are almost alike, too, but not quite, +thank goodness. If any more of this double identity business comes +along, I'll just have to give up. A girl's got to have some sort of a +personality all her own, you know." + +"I wouldn't let that worry me," said Gretchen. "There's only one Dorothy +Dixon, after all." + +"Thanks for those kind words, Gretchen. That's really very sweet of you, +though. If the pup was a lady, I'd call him 'Gretchen'. Since he isn't, +'Professor' will do very nicely. We'll try him on a dictionary when we +get home, that is, after he's had some nice warm bread and milk, and a +good sleep." + +"If," smiled Gretchen, "what you said just now was meant for a +compliment--well, I'm glad Professor is not a lady. You'd better go on +to the house, while I drop these brooms in here at the garage. I'll come +to your room just as soon as I can slip into my uniform, and I'll bring +up the bread and milk." + +"I always knew you were a dear," said Dorothy, and she continued to push +her way on toward the house. + + + + + Chapter XV + + TEA AND ORDERS + + +After she had changed her clothes and fed the famished pup with a bowl +of warm milk and bread, Dorothy took him down to the library. Gretchen +brought a small open basket and a blanket and they made him a bed near +the open fire. Professor promptly went to sleep, and his mistress curled +up in a deep chair beside him, reading and dozing for the rest of the +afternoon. To amuse Gretchen, she had placed a dictionary near the +basket, to see if Professor would follow his double's example and so +justify his name. When he awoke, however, about four o'clock, he merely +jumped out of his bed on to the book, and up to Dorothy's lap, where he +went to sleep again. + +"Good ole pup!" Dorothy rubbed his smooth, warm head between his ears. +"You show your intelligence by using the dictionary as a stepping stone +to better things, don't you, Prof!" + +She yawned, closed her book, and promptly went to sleep again herself. + +She awoke with a start, to find Mrs. Lawson smiling down at her. +Tunbridge was laying the tea-things on a table at the other side of the +fire. "Well, my dear," the lady said, her eyes on the fox terrier, "I +see you've found a new friend." + +"Oh, yes, isn't he just too darling? I found him out in the blizzard, he +was half frozen and almost starved!" She went on to tell Mrs. Lawson +about it. + +"I'm afraid I'm not very fond of animals, Janet." Dorothy noticed that +she did not attempt to touch the puppy. "I don't dislike them, you +understand, but somehow they never seem to like me." + +"That's too bad," said Dorothy. "I do hope you won't mind my keeping +him--at least until we learn who his owner is?" + +Laura Lawson looked doubtful. "Well, I don't mind. But--this is Doctor +Winn's house, you know, and his decision, after all, is the one that +counts. You will have to ask him about keeping the dog, Janet." + +"Is Doctor Winn going to have tea with us, Mrs. Lawson?" + +"He most certainly is, my dear. That is, if you ladies will pour him a +cup." + +Dorothy glanced up, and beside her stood an old gentleman, very tall and +spare, but bowed with the weight of his years. She knew that the +scientist was well over eighty. Catching up the fox terrier, she rose to +her feet. + +"How do you do, Doctor Winn?" She smiled and offered him her hand. + +The old gentleman bent over it with courtly grace. "Good afternoon, Miss +Janet Jordan. Welcome to Winncote." Merry gray eyes twinkled at her from +behind pince-nez attached to a broad black ribbon. An aristocrat of the +old school, Dorothy thought, as she studied his handsome, clean shaven +face crisscrossed with the tiny wrinkles of advanced age. She had +imagined him to be quite a different sort of person. His next words +proved that he read her thoughts. + +"You expected to see a musty old fellow, with a long white beard, +wearing a smock stained by chemicals, eh?" He chuckled softly. "Now, +tell me, young lady, isn't that so? Though I admit these flannel slacks +and old Norfolk jacket are hardly fashionable habiliments when one is +taking tea with ladies!" + +He released her hand and smiled a greeting to Mrs. Lawson. The second +footman, he of the plum-colored knee-breeches, set the tea table before +that young matron, under the supervision of the stately Tunbridge. + +Dorothy liked this gallant old scientist and his courtly ways. Her own +eyes sparkled gaily back at him. "Yes, you did surprise me, Doctor +Winn," she confessed. "Please don't think I'm being forward, but--but +you seem much more like the English fox-hunting squires I've read about, +than the world-renowned chemist you really are, with stacks of letters +after your name. But ever so much nicer, and jollier, you know!" + +Doctor Winn beamed. "Now that, my dear, is a most charming compliment. +Old fellows like me aren't used to compliments from young ladies, +either. Do sit down again, please, and tell me how you like Winncote and +our New England snowstorms. We old people need young folks around. I can +see that we are going to be good friends." + +He sat down in a chair the butler drew up for him. + +"Mrs. Lawson will tell you," replied Dorothy, "that I love it out here +in the country." She accepted a cup of tea from Tunbridge and added +sugar and a slice of lemon. The butler was followed by his liveried +assistant, bearing silver platters of hot, buttered scones and tiny iced +cakes. Professor immediately began to show interest in the proceedings. +Dorothy held him firmly out of harm's way, and placed her tea and +eatables on the broad arm of her chair. + +Mrs. Lawson looked up from her place behind the shining silver and old +china of the tea table. She smiled graciously. "Oh, yes, Janet loves +blizzards, too, Doctor Winn. She went out for a walk this afternoon and +acquired a fox terrier puppy, as you see." + +"And naturally, she wants to keep him." The old gentleman leaned forward +in his chair, the better to look at Professor. "You certainly may, +Janet. And by the way, I hope you'll agree that it's an old man's +privilege to call you by your first name?" + +"Oh, that is sweet of you!" Dorothy cried delightedly, and the Doctor's +chuckle echoed her pleasure. + +"The dog's got a fine head--a very fine head, indeed. If anybody +advertises for him, or comes to claim him, I'll take pleasure in buying +the puppy for you." + +"Why, you're nicer every minute," declared Dorothy. "Isn't he, +Professor?" + +The pup yawned with great indifference, which set all three of them +laughing. His mistress put him in his blanket where he promptly curled +up and fell into slumber once more. + +"I sadly fear," said Doctor Winn, as he polished his pince-nez with a +white silk handkerchief, "that you are a good deal of a flirt Janet. But +inasmuch as I am old enough to be your grandfather, or +great-grandfather, for that matter, you are pardoned with a reprimand." +He chuckled deep in his throat, a habit he had when pleased. "Now tell +me, how you happened to find him out in the snow." + +Dorothy recounted the story in detail. When she came to the part about +Gretchen's fear of the wildcat and the fox, even Mrs. Lawson, who was +none too sure she liked the turn things were taking, broke into a merry +peal of laughter. + +"Capital, capital!" Doctor Winn beamed. "I only wish I'd been there to +see it. But why, may I ask, do you call him Professor?" + +Dorothy explained about the dictionary and Gretchen's idea of the pup's +resemblance to Dorothea Gutmann's fox terrier. + +"Better and better," exclaimed the Doctor. "This is the jolliest tea +we've had in this house for ages. We need young people around us to be +really happy. You and I and Martin, Laura, have been working too hard of +late. 'All work and no play'--We've been bothering too much about things +scientific, and neglecting things personal. Well now, we can rest a +while, and become human beings again." + +Mrs. Lawson leaned forward eagerly. "Then, the formula is complete?" she +asked in a low voice, in which Dorothy detected the barely controlled +tremor of excitement. + +"Yes, indeed. Finished and locked in my safe. I added the final figures +and quantities three-quarters of an hour ago. Tomorrow, or if the +weather doesn't clear by then, the next day at latest, I shall take it +on to Washington." + +"I congratulate you, Doctor. And I know that once it is in the hands of +the government, a great load will be taken off your mind." + +"You're right, my dear, you are right. I've been jumpy as a cat with +eight of its lives gone for the past year." He turned to Dorothy. "Thank +goodness, you're young and without responsibilities, Janet. There are so +many unscrupulous people about nowadays. If those papers were lost or +stolen, there is no telling what would happen. I dare not think of it. +The whole world might suffer if that formula got into the wrong hands!" + +Dorothy could not help thinking that the world at large would be much +better off if the formula were destroyed. She, therefore, merely nodded +and looked impressed. How this gentle, kindly old man could have brought +himself to invent such a ghastly menace to life, she found it difficult +to understand. + +Laura Lawson stood up. "Doctor Winn likes to dine early, Janet, so if we +are to be dressed by six-thirty, we had better start upstairs." + +"My word, yes!" The old gentleman snapped open the hunting case of his +repeater and got stiffly to his feet. "Time flies when one is enjoying +oneself. It's nearly six o'clock. This has been very pleasant indeed, +the first of many afternoons, I hope." He snapped the watch shut and +returned it to his pocket. "You ladies will excuse me, I'm sure." He +bowed to them both, and holding himself much more erect than he had +formerly, walked stiffly from the room. + +"He's simply darling," exclaimed Dorothy in a hushed voice. + +"Yes, he's a very simple and a very fine old gentleman," said Laura +Lawson. She seemed lost in her thoughts and evidently unaware that she +uttered them aloud. "Sometimes--I hate to hurt him so." + +"Why--why, what do you mean?" Dorothy could have bitten her own tongue +out for speaking that sentence. + +"Mean--? Oh, nothing, child. Run along now, and change. But take your +dog with you. I'll see that one of the men gives him a run in the +stables while we're at dinner." + +"Thank you very much," said Dorothy. She turned the sleeping pup out of +his bed, caught up the basket, and with Professor at her heels, ran +lightly from the room. + +Just outside the door she collided with Tunbridge, and Professor's +basket was jerked from her grasp. + +"Oh, I'm so very sorry, Miss Jordan!" His acting was perfect. Dorothy +knew that Mrs. Lawson was close behind them. Then as they both stooped +to retrieve the basket their heads came close together. "Under your +pillow!" It was hardly more than the breath of a whisper, but Dorothy +caught the words, nodded her understanding, and stood up. + +"I'm afraid I'm to blame, Tunbridge. I didn't see you coming." + +"Not at all, Miss. It was my fault, entirely. Very clumsy of me I'm +sure!" + +From the corner of her eye Dorothy caught a glimpse of Laura Lawson +watching them from the doorway. + +"Don't let it worry you, Tunbridge. I'm not hurt, neither is the basket. +Professor will probably park himself on my _pillow_ tonight, anyway. +Puppies have a way of doing such things, you know. So it really wouldn't +matter much if you had smashed it." + +She gave him a nod, and picking up the dog made for the staircase. + +"So instructions are waiting under my pillow," she mused, as she slowly +mounted the broad stair. The afternoon had been a pleasant one, but the +evening, with those instructions ahead of her, portended to be something +quite different. It had been so nice and cheerful, chatting round the +tea table; so cozy sitting before the glowing logs, just talking of +jolly things and forgetting all worry and responsibility. Of course, +beyond the curtained windows, the blizzard howled. And it whipped the +swirling snowflakes into disordered clouds with its arctic lash before +it let them seek the shelter of their fellows in the drifts. She felt +very much as though she too were a snowflake, tossed hither and thither +on the storm of circumstance, to be whipped forward by the secret lash +of underlying crime. + +If she could only drop down on to her bed and sleep--and awake to find +it all a bad dream! She sighed and went toward her door on the gallery. +Her pillow held no peace for her tonight--nothing more nor less than +detailed instructions as to how Tunbridge wished her to rob a safe. Why +didn't the man do his own stealing? Her part was to take Janet's place +out here, and kill suspicion in Laura Lawson. Well, she'd done that, +hadn't she? And now they loaded this other job on to her. It wasn't +fair. She had done enough--she'd-- + +"Oh, shucks!" She pulled herself up mentally as her hand fell on the +doorknob. "I'll be losing my nerve altogether, if I let my thoughts run +on this way. D. Dixon, you just _must not_ funk it!" + +She turned the knob and entered her room. + + + + + Chapter XVI + + CAUGHT IN THE ACT + + +When Dorothy went down to dinner that evening, she knew exactly what she +had to do. After reading Tunbridge's note which she found had been +slipped between the pillow case and the pillow itself, she had memorized +the combination to Doctor Winn's safe, and destroyed the missive as she +had his warning of the night before. After a bath and a complete change +of clothing, she felt refreshed and in a much better frame of mind. She +had selected one of the prettiest gowns in Janet's wardrobe, a turquoise +blue crepe, with a cluster of silver roses fastened in the twisted +velvet girdle, put on slippers to match, and surveyed the result in the +mirror. + +"Decidedly becoming, my girl," she smiled at her reflection, and gave a +last pat to her shining bob that she had brushed until it lay like a +bronze cap close about her shapely head. "Might as well look my best at +my criminal debut!" She made a face at herself, turned and kissed the +sleeping puppy in his basket, and went downstairs. + +Doctor Winn and Mrs. Lawson were standing talking in the entrance hall, +near the fireplace. The old gentleman, dressed in immaculate dinner +clothes, looked more than ever like the English squire in his ancestral +hall. He came forward to meet her, both hands outstretched. + +"As charming as an English primrose and twice as beautiful!" he greeted +gaily. + +"Thank you kindly, sir." She dropped him a little curtsey and let him +lead her to Mrs. Lawson. + +"Our little secretary has blossomed into a very lovely debutante," he +beamed. + +Dorothy bit her lip, remembering her own phrase of a few moments before, +then smiled at her employer. Mrs. Lawson was regal in black velvet, +trimmed in narrow bands of ermine. She returned Dorothy's smile, and +lifted her finely pencilled brows at the Doctor. "Oh, you men. You are +all alike. A pretty gown, a pretty face intrigues you, young or old. Pay +no attention to his flattery, Janet. I can hardly blame him, though. You +look lovely tonight. That is an exquisite frock. Did you buy it abroad?" + +"Oh, no, at a little place on fifty-seventh street." Of course Dorothy +had no idea where Janet had bought the dress. "It is a Paris model, +though, Mrs. Lawson." + +"I thought as much. Ah, here comes Tunbridge with the cocktails. I +wonder which side of the fence you are on?" + +"I'm--I'm afraid I don't know quite what you mean, Mrs. Lawson." + +"I'll explain," broke in the old gentleman. "I'm the prohibitionist in +this house, Janet. Mrs. Lawson is one of the antis. She likes a real +cocktail before dinner. I prefer one made of tomato juice." + +Mrs. Lawson had already helped herself to a brimming glass and a small +canape of caviar from the silver tray Tunbridge was holding. + +"Oh, I love tomato cocktails," smiled Dorothy. She took one from the man +and helped herself to the caviar. "Daddy asked me not to drink until I +was twenty-one--and I'm not so keen on the idea, anyway." + +"I try to keep an open mind about such things," the Doctor said +seriously, "but I've never found that the use of alcohol did anyone any +good. Well, here's your very good health, ladies!" He raised his glass +of tomato juice and drank. + +Dinner was announced a few minutes later. Doctor Winn offered his right +arm to Mrs. Lawson and his left to Dorothy and they walked into the +dining room. Dorothy did not enjoy that meal as much as she had her +luncheon. True, the food was delicious and the panelled room with its +cheerful fire on the hearth and the soft glow of candle light was +delightfully homey, while Doctor Winn's easy chatter and fund of +interesting reminiscence helped to break the tedium of the courses. But +Dorothy found it difficult to play up to his amusing sallies. The old +gentleman appeared to be in very good spirits indeed. Laura Lawson, on +the other hand, was unusually quiet. At times she seemed distrait and +merely smiled absently when spoken to. She drank several glasses of +claret, but hardly touched her food. Dorothy felt surer than ever that +the Lawsons had planned their coup for tonight. She shrewdly surmised +that this cold-blooded adventuress had become fond of the genial, +fatherly old man, and realized that at his age the blow she contemplated +might very well prove a fatal one. + +As the dinner wore on, Dorothy felt more and more ill at ease. The sight +of Tunbridge, soft-footed and efficient, waiting on table or +superintending his satellite of the plum-colored kneebreeches, sent her +thoughts to the night's work ahead every time the detective-butler came +into the room. She was glad when at last the meal was over and they +repaired to the library where after-dinner coffee was served. Dorothy +rarely drank coffee in the evening, but tonight she allowed Tunbridge to +fill her cup a second time. There must be no sleep for her until the wee +hours of the morning, and she knew from former experience that the black +coffee would keep her awake. + +Mrs. Lawson, after wandering aimlessly about the room, finally picked up +a technical magazine and commenced to read. Doctor Winn suggested a game +of chess to Dorothy. She was fond of the ancient game and told him so. +Many a tournament she and her father had played with their red and white +ivory chessmen. Dr. Winn was a brilliant player, of long experience. +Soon he began to compliment Dorothy upon a number of strategic moves. +But although several times she managed to place his king in check, it +was invariably her own royal chessman who was checkmated in the end. As +the evening wore on, the beatings became more frequent, for Dorothy +simply could not keep her mind on the game. + +For a while she sat watching the log fire and talking to the Doctor in a +desultory way while Mrs. Lawson continued to read. Then as the +grandfather clock chimed ten, Laura Lawson laid down her magazine and +stood up. + +"I think I'll go to bed now, if you don't mind." The half stifled yawn, +sheer camouflage thought Dorothy, was nevertheless a masterpiece of +deception. "I've a bit of a headache, so I'll say good night." + +Doctor Winn and Dorothy got to their feet. "I'm for bed myself," +announced the old gentleman, "and in spite of the coffee you drank after +dinner, I know you're sleepy, Janet. Your chess playing toward the end +proved it." His eyes twinkled at her. "But in storm or clear weather, +there's nothing like the air of this Connecticut Ridge Country to make +one eat and sleep. By the way, Laura, when do you expect Martin?" + +"Oh, I forgot to tell you, Doctor--he won't be back tonight. He phoned +me from town just before dinner, that on account of the blizzard, he had +decided to stay in until tomorrow. If you need him sooner, he said to +call up the Roosevelt. He always stops there, you know." + +"Yes, yes, but I shan't need him, thank you." He turned to Dorothy. "The +railroad has taken upon itself to discontinue all service to +Ridgefield," he explained. "Branchville is our nearest station, and +driving will be difficult tonight. There must be very deep drifts by +this time." + +"I should think it would be mighty unpleasant to get stuck out in a +blizzard like this. I'm glad I don't have to go out into it. But in a +way I'm thankful for the snow, because we ought to have a white +Christmas, and it's ever so much more fun." + +"Bless my soul! I'd entirely forgotten that Christmas comes next week. +Well, this year we must celebrate the Yuletide in the good old fashioned +way. Thank you, Janet, for reminding me." + +Good nights were said, and a few minutes later Dorothy was again alone +in the Pink Bedroom. Or so she thought, as she entered. But at once she +noticed that a single shaded wall-light sent a pleasant glow from the +bay window, and curled up in the cushioned recess, Gretchen was reading. + +Dorothy stopped short in surprise and the girl sprang to her feet. "Oh, +Miss--Miss Jordan, Mr. Tunbridge told me to come and help you undress +and get ready for the night. Of course I didn't know if you would want +me--" then she added in a whisper, "but he thought you might be sort of +blue and I could cheer you up, I guess." + +Dorothy smiled at Gretchen's pretty, earnest face. "Why, of course I +want you, Gretchen. Tunbridge is very thoughtful. I've never had the +luxury of a personal maid and I don't know that I'll ever feel helpless +enough to need one! But if you want to stay and talk, I'd love it." + +"But I can help you, too," Gretchen insisted. "I'm not really a trained +maid, you know, but Nanette--that's Mrs. Lawson's French maid--has been +teaching me. Gee, I'd certainly love to be _your_ personal maid, Miss +Jordan." + +"Well, you may be, some day, who knows?" she laughed. "But you can help +me tonight, though there'll be no bed for me until much later." + +Gretchen, who was arranging the pillows and smoothing the covers on the +bed, turned her head sharply. "Secret Service Work?" she queried in an +excited whisper. + +Dorothy nodded and tossed her dress on to a chair. She continued +speaking in a tone just above a whisper. "At twelve o'clock tonight I've +got to go downstairs and commit justifiable burglary in Doctor Winn's +office. The real thief will be along later--at least, I hope so, for +everybody's sake. In the meantime I want you to do something for +me--will you?" + +"I sure will, miss--gee, this is exciting!" + +"Don't let it cramp your style." Dorothy laughed, and pulling off her +stocking, she handed Gretchen the packet of thin paper, the manuscript +on "Winnite" that she had typed that morning. "When you finish up in +here, I want you to find Mr. Tunbridge and give him these papers. You'd +better pin it inside your uniform now, and be very careful that nobody +sees you giving it to him." + +"You can trust me," declared Gretchen, and she put the papers safely +within her dress. "Is Mr. Tunbridge really a detective?" + +"He certainly is, Gretchen." + +"I'd never have guessed it if you hadn't told me. But then, I suppose +not looking like one makes him all the better?" + +"That's the idea." Dorothy put Janet's quilted satin dressing gown on +over her pajamas. "Now that I'm ready for bed, and you've put all my +clothes away so nicely, I think you'd better run along, Gretchen. Not," +she amended, "that I wouldn't love to talk to you while I'm waiting for +twelve o'clock, but we must not let certain people in this house get +wise to our friendship." + +"And Mrs. Lawson is one awful snoopy lady," Gretchen observed candidly. +"Well, good night, Miss Jordan. Thank you a lot for letting me in on +this. I'll see that Mr. Tunbridge gets your papers all right. Good +night--and take care of yourself." She stood before Dorothy with an +anxious frown on her honest brow. "I sure do wish you the very best +luck!" + +Dorothy grinned. "Thank you. I certainly need it. Good night." + +The door closed upon the little maid and Dorothy looked at her wrist +watch. It was ten minutes to eleven. For a time she sat on the edge of +her bed and stared unseeingly at the rug under her feet. Presently she +got up, locked her door, turned off her lights and went over to the +window. She drew aside the curtains and was surprised to see that it had +stopped snowing. There was no moon, but what sky she could see was +fairly a-crackle with stars. The heavy blanket of snow looked silver in +the starlight. A remote world and cold. Dorothy allowed the curtains to +drop back into place, and sat down on the window seat. Lost in thoughts +pleasant and unpleasant, she sat there for the next hour, while the +faint noises of the big house gradually subsided into stillness. + +At exactly five minutes to twelve, Dorothy raised the window, letting in +the cold night air. Then she turned off the heat and got into bed. After +lying there for possibly a minute, she threw back the covers, thrust her +feet into the fur-lined slippers she had left at the bedside and moved +like a dim shadow to the closet. + +It was crowded with Janet's suits, coats and frocks, and she was careful +not to disturb them on their hangers, as she pushed between them in the +darkness to the rear wall and pressed her foot on the board in the +corner. The panel slid upward with a noiselessness that spoke for +well-oiled machinery somewhere in the walls. Dorothy stepped cautiously +through the opening. Her fingers sought the handle to this sliding door, +found it, and she pulled the panel down again. + +Then for the first time she made use of the small flashlight which she +carried in the pocket of her gown. She saw that she was standing on the +top step of a narrow circular stair that wound downward. Off went her +light again--she was taking no unnecessary chances tonight--and with her +hand on the metal handrail, she felt her way slowly down the stair, +holding her free hand well in advance of her body. + +When her extended fingers touched a wall that blocked further progress, +she felt with a slippered foot out to the right. The board gave +slightly, the wall panel moved upward and she stepped forth to find +herself in the great fireplace of the entrance hall, just beyond the +embers of the dying logs. The hall was illuminated in the dim glow of a +night light in the ceiling. As she turned to pull down the sliding +shutter, there came a streak of white from the dark passage and +Professor bounded into the hall. + +Dorothy was completely startled, and just as exasperated as she could +be. She could not call him, for the slightest sound might bring the +wakeful enemy to the spot. The pup, after his long sleep, was playful, +and scampered about madly, his bright eyes watching her every move. She +attempted to catch him, but he eluded her with an agility that made her +still more angry. He seemed to think that this was a splendid game, +raced across the floor in high glee, but ever watchful to keep beyond +her reach. + +Dorothy gave it up as a bad job. She dared not pursue him too +determinedly, for fear he would bark. She pulled down the sliding +shutter in the fireplace, and leaving Professor to his frolic, hurried +on to the door of Doctor Winn's office. + +Inside the room with the door shut, her flashlight came into play for +the second time. It took her but a moment with the memorized combination +at her fingertips to open the safe. The door was surprisingly heavy, but +at last the interior of the small vault came within her line of vision. +From a drawer she took a folded sheet of white paper. Out of her pocket +came a pencil and another sheet of paper. In an amazingly short time she +copied the formula and replaced the original in the safe drawer. She +tucked the copy into the fur lining of her slipper under her bare foot. +Then suddenly she sprang up. + +Her heart leaped into her throat. In the corridor just outside there +came the sound of a footstep. There was no time to do more than shut off +her torch and drop it, together with her pencil, into the waste paper +basket. The door opened, lights flashed on, and Martin Lawson walked +into the room. + + + + + Chapter XVII + + PROFESSOR MAKES GOOD + + +In that moment, Dorothy knew what she must do. A shiver ran over her +slender frame and she blinked as though partly awakened by the flash of +lights. Then, with eyes wide open and staring straight ahead, she slowly +walked toward Martin Lawson and the open doorway. + +"_Stop!_" + +The command, though low, was uttered in a tone of deadly menace, and +Dorothy saw the blue-black muzzle of an automatic revolver pointed at +her heart. She stopped on the instant, but continued to stare straight +ahead without change of expression. She noted that he wore a soft felt +hat pulled over his eyes and a heavy ulster with its broad collar turned +up half hiding the lower part of his face. His high arctics bore traces +of melting snow. + +"Sleepwalking, eh! Well, I don't believe it." His sharp eyes took in the +open door of the safe. "Snap out of that playacting and tell me what you +are doing here!" + +Dorothy did not move a muscle. + +Without warning, he grasped her wrist and jerked her savagely toward +him. She screamed and went limp in his arms. Lawson clapped a hand over +her mouth. + +"So you're up to your old tricks again, Martin!" + +Mrs. Lawson, fully dressed, and wearing a three-quarters mink coat and +brown felt cloche, appeared in the open doorway. "So our little +sleepwalker interrupted a very pretty piece of double-crossing!" She +pointed toward the safe. + +Lawson flung the weeping girl into an arm chair where she lay apparently +half stunned and shaking in every limb. + +"Double-cross, nothing!" he snapped at his wife. "How do you get that +way, Laura? I came in here just now and found Janet in the room." + +"Was she at the safe?" + +"No, she wasn't. She was standing in the middle of the floor. Making her +getaway without a doubt when I turned on the lights." + +"Why do you pretend Janet opened the safe? The Doctor, you and I are the +only ones who know the combination. Laugh that off if you can, my dear!" + +They were both fast losing their tempers. + +"Combination or no combination, the safe was open when I got here," he +snarled. "She was after the formula, of course. That father of hers is +in back of it. That Irishman is the double-crosser--and how! Figured on +working Winnite into his racket without coughing up a cent for it, +either. Call me a sucker if you like, Laura. I qualify, and so do you, +for that matter. The other stuff's the bunk." + +Dorothy stopped her pretended crying and lay back as though utterly +exhausted. She knew Tunbridge must be up and about. What in the world +could the man be doing? + +Mrs. Lawson who seemed to be weighing matters, slowly unbuttoned her +coat. "If you are so blameless," she said coldly to her husband, "How do +you happen to be here at all? Your part of the job was to bring up the +car--or the plane, if it had stopped snowing." + +"Well, it's no longer snowing, my dear, and the plane is just where it +should be. I got tired of waiting, that's why. Thought there must be a +slip-up. You were due out there half an hour ago." + +"And I would have been," said Laura Lawson evenly, "if that secret +service fool hadn't been snooping outside my door." + +"Tunbridge?" + +"Who else!" + +"What did you do--croak him?" + +"No, I didn't. He's not worth burning for." + +As they talked, the two dropped their artificial cloaks of refinement as +if they had never been. + +"It's hanging in this state," sneered Martin. + +"What's the difference! I rang for him, instead. When he knocked on the +door, I opened up and beaned him with the poker. He'll wake up tomorrow +with a headache, but I dragged him into my room and tied him up, just to +make sure." + +Dorothy's heart sank to the very soles of her bare feet. + +"Atta girl!" cheered Lawson. "That's the way! And look here, Laura. Just +to prove I'm on the straight with you--go over and frisk that kid +yourself. She's got the paper." + +"Thanks--I intended to." Mrs. Lawson threw a grim smile at her husband +and turned to Dorothy. "Pass it over, Janet." + +"But, really, Mrs. Lawson! I don't know what you're talking about--" + +The woman cut her short. "Stand up and come here!" + +Dorothy reluctantly obeyed. "I haven't any paper," she protested. "All I +know is that I woke up just now and found Mr. Lawson--" + +"Hold your tongue!" snapped Mrs. Lawson, and after exploring Dorothy's +empty pockets, ran her fingers over the quilted gown and the girl's +pajamas. In the midst of her search, Professor, still playful, bounded +into the room and stood watching them expectantly. + +Mrs. Lawson stepped back. "She hasn't got it, Martin." Her tone was +acid. "What a hard-boiled liar you are, anyway!" + +"Hard-boiled, if you like--but no liar." He strode to the safe and +thrust his hand inside. "Here it is," he called, and held up the paper. +"I must have got here before she could nab it." + +Laura Lawson eyed him appraisingly. "Didn't you say Janet was in the +middle of the room when you switched on the light?" + +"Sure--she heard me coming, of course." + +"If Janet heard you coming, why didn't she swing the door shut? Don't +try to pull that stuff on me, Martin. Even if the girl knows the +combination she couldn't open that safe in the dark. Why lie about the +business? I know you opened it yourself--and what's more, while I've +been wasting time arguing with you and searching Janet, the formula was +in your pocket the whole time--that is, until you pretended to take it +out of the safe, just now!" + +Martin Lawson's hard and cruel mouth twisted into a crooked smile. "The +world is full of liars," he said equably, "but your husband doesn't play +that kind of a racket, Laura--anyway, not to you." + +"Then prove it by giving me that paper!" his wife held out her hand. + +"Nothing doing, Sweetheart. The formula will be perfectly safe with me." + +He started to put it in an inside pocket, when Laura Lawson sprang for +the paper. She grasped his wrist. There was a tussle and the folded +sheet fell to the floor. Professor, seated on his haunches and very +interested in these exciting proceedings, dove forward and snapped it +up. For half a moment he shook the paper as though he took it for a new +species of rat. Then as they went for him, he darted between Martin's +legs and scampered out of the room. + +"You big goop!" flared his wife. "Why didn't you pot the cur!" + +She rushed out of the room after Professor while Martin stared rather +stupidly at the gun in his hand. Suddenly his eyes took on a +particularly hard glint and he swung round on Dorothy. + +"This," he rasped, "is the second time you've got me in wrong with my +wife, Miss Janet Jordan. And there just ain't going to be no third time, +kid!" + +"Wha--what are you going to do, Mr. Lawson?" She was still playing the +terrified, innocent Janet, but she no longer feared the man. During the +Lawsons' struggle, she had prepared herself for something like this. She +had also shifted her position and was standing near the open door, now +several yards away. + +"You're going to answer my questions, Janet--and answer them truthfully, +or you'll do your sleepwalking in another world after this." He menaced +her with the automatic, "It's the bunk, isn't it? The sleepwalking, I +mean." + +"It sure is, Mr. du Val!" drawled Dorothy with a sweet smile. + +Lawson was thoroughly surprised and looked it. "Yes--it naturally would +be, seeing you know who I really am." + +"And all about you." + +"Oh, you do, eh? You were awake, of course, at the meeting?" + +"Not me--Janet Jordan." + +"What do you mean--not you--Janet Jordan?" + +"I mean that certain people have been making fools of you and your wife, +Mr. du Val." + +"Is that so! In what way, may I ask?" + +"Why, you see, I'm not Janet Jordan." + +"Not Janet Jordan!" + +"I wish," said Dorothy, "you wouldn't echo my words. No, I am not--most +decidedly, not Janet Jordan, although even you have guessed by this time +that I look like her. We changed places on you, big boy! Night before +last, just before you came into Janet's room with her father, Janet was +climbing out the window when you knocked the first time. It was rather +embarrassing." + +"It's going to be even more embarrassing for you in a moment or two, +Miss Not Janet Jordan! You know too much to live. Who in thunderation +are you--a government dick?" + +"That's right, big boy. I also happen to be Janet's double cousin." + +"You're her double, I'll voucher that," agreed du Val alias Lawson. "And +all this high-hat cockiness ain't going to do you one little bit of +good. What's the moniker, kid? Make it snappy, I'm pressed for time." + +"Dorothy Dixon's my name. And--meet Flash!" Her right hand gave a quick +twist and Martin Lawson dropped the exploding automatic with a scream of +mingled rage and pain. She sprang for the revolver, covered the man and +retrieved the knife from the floor just behind him. "Sit down over +there!" She pointed to a chair. "You're not really hurt, you know. Flash +only skinned your knuckles. Better tie them up in your handkerchief +though. You're ruining the rug." + +Gretchen's blond head peered round the door frame. "Oh, Dorothy!" she +shrilled, and rushed into the room. "Are you hurt? Did he wound you?" +She flung herself on her friend in a frenzy of fright and hysterics. + +From the hall came Laura Lawson's voice. "Martin!" she called. "They're +out in front of the house. They've got the car! Hurry!" + +Lawson wasted no time. While Dorothy struggled with the excited +Gretchen, he nipped out of the room and was gone. + +"That tears it!" cried Miss Dixon, freeing herself from the little +maid's embrace, and she dove into the passage. + +Under the gallery she stopped short. There was nobody in sight, but from +the staircase came two sharp detonations of a revolver which were +answered by two more from the dining room. Then as she moved warily +forward, Bill Bolton ran into the hall with Ashton Sanborn close at his +heels. Dorothy saw them disappear up the stairs and ran after them. + +At the top of the stairs she spied them standing outside a bedroom door. +She hurried to join them. "Hello! Gone to cover?" + +"You're a great guesser, kid." Bill grinned and nodded. + +"Where's Tunbridge?" asked Mr. Sanborn. + +Dorothy motioned toward the door. "In there. He's got a broken head and +he's tied up into the bargain. Laura Lawson did it. That's her room." + +"We've got to get the door down," said Bill, and he stepped back for a +rush. + +"Just a sec, Bill!" Dorothy fired three shots from Lawson's automatic +into the lock. + +"Smart girl!" Ashton Sanborn opened the door to disclose the +detective-butler bound and unconscious, lying on the floor. Otherwise +the room was empty of occupants. "I thought as much," muttered the +secret service man, while Dorothy ran to Tunbridge and began to cut his +bonds. "They have beat it, all right!" + +"Secret passage?" This from Bill. + +"Yes, the walls are honeycombed with them. But Tunbridge never learned +the secret of this room, poor fellow." + +"Doctor Winn would know," said Dorothy. "His suite is right at the end +of this corridor. He must surely be awake with all this racket going +on." + +"I'll get him." Mr. Sanborn was half way to the door. "Look after +Tunbridge, you two. Better phone for a doctor." He was gone. + +Dorothy and Bill lifted the unconscious man on to Mrs. Lawson's bed. +Then while young Bolton undressed him, Dorothy telephoned. She then gave +Bill a hasty account of the night's happenings. + +"If Gretchen had only stayed put in her room, I'd have caught Martin +Lawson, anyway," she lamented. + +"Mr. Jordan and the bunch outside will take care of that pair," promised +Bill. "Fetch a wet towel from the bathroom. This bird is breathing +pretty hard." + +Dorothy sped to obey, talking the while. "Not Uncle Michael!" she called +back in astonishment. + +"Yep. Uncle Michael showed up in Sanborn's New York office this morning, +all on his own." + +"What was he doing--wanting to turn state's evidence and peach on his +pals?" She brought in the wet towel and laid it on Tunbridge's hot +forehead. + +"Nothing like that, kid." Bill was grinning. "Give another guess." + +"Then he wasn't really a member of that gang with the numbers?" + +"Sure he was--in good standing, too." + +"Oh, spill it, Bill! What do you think I'm made of, anyway?" + +"Snips and snails and puppy dog's tails," said Bill promptly. + +"Huh! The story book says 'little boys' belong in that category. Come, +Bill, out with it!" + +"Well, then, cutie pie,--Uncle Michael is a secret service man." + +"And Ashton Sanborn didn't know it! Don't talk rot, Bill!" + +"I'm not talking rot, Dorothy. Uncle Michael happens to be in the +British Secret Service, that's why!" + +"Ain't that the nerts!" exploded Miss Dixon. + +"You said it, kid! He got on to The Nameless Ones--that's what they call +themselves--over on the other side, in Europe, you know--worked his way +into their confidence and joined up. Of course, with his government's +sanction." + +"And what were they up to?" + +"Out to blow up the world with Winnite, I reckon. The Lawsons were to +get two million plunks for the formula. Martie-boy was Number 1, by the +way. The whole thing was financed by the Reds." + +"Nice people! What's being done about it?" + +"Plenty," returned Bill. "Mr. Jordan brought in the goods--letters, +confidential papers of the organization, and that kind of thing. All the +ringleaders, both in this country and abroad, have been apprehended and +jailed by this time." + +"Except," she suggested, "the du Vals, alias Lawson." + +"That's right! Let's go downstairs and find out about them. Nothing more +can be done for Tunbridge until that doctor shows up. He's had hard luck +all the way round this evening. The Lawsons fooled him nicely about the +time--and then this crack on the nut into the bargain!" + +"What do you mean--about the time?" + +"Why, he overheard the fair Laura telling her hubby that they would +vamoose at two this morning, and that she would nab the formula just +before leaving. That's why Tunbridge specified midnight. He thought that +two hours leeway would have been plenty of time for you." + +"I 'spose they suspected him then, and were just giving him the razz?" + +Bill nodded. "Q.E.D., old girl. You're learning, aren't you?" + +Dorothy made a face at him and pushed him out of the room. "By the way," +continued Bill, as they entered the corridor, "I wonder if Mrs. Lawson +got the paper away from Professor?" + +"She did not!" declared Dorothy. "Look!" + +They paused on the stairs to view the scene below in the entrance hall. +Groups of frightened servants whispered among themselves and here and +there a strange man was posted, with somewhat of an air of grim +watchfulness. Crouched on the hearth and chewing up the last shreds of +some white substance was the puppy. + +"The end of a perfect formula," declared Bill. "You'd better call the +pup Winnite. He's full of it by this time. Lucky you made the copy, +Dorothy." + +"It certainly is!" A voice spoke behind them and they turned to see +Ashton Sanborn descending the broad stair. "Doctor Winn tells me the +passageway from the Lawson woman's room comes out into the sunken +gardens a quarter of a mile from the house. And I distinctly heard the +whirr of an airplane just now from his open window. They've made their +getaway in fine style by this time." + +"Well--" Dorothy breathed a deep sigh. "I can't help being glad of it." + +Bill stared at her. "Well!" he mimicked. "I must say you have +astonishing reactions!" + +"What's the matter, my dear?" asked Mr. Sanborn. "You've done brilliant +work on this case, and then, you know, you've saved Winnite." + +Dorothy was not impressed. "That's just it," she retorted. "If I wasn't +a government servant for the time being, I'd destroy the copy of that +terrible formula myself. As it is, I've got to turn it over to you!" + +Ashton Sanborn laid a fatherly hand on her shoulder. "Fortunes of war, +Dorothy. Sorry, but you must, you know." + +"Oh, I know!" She took the sheet of paper from her slipper and handed it +to him. "And that," she announced grimly, "spoils all the fun on this +racket." + + + + + Chapter XVIII + + THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT + + +Christmas eve was, as Dorothy had predicted, a starry night of frost and +blanketing snow. Red candles twinkled in every holly-wreathed window of +the Dixon home, and a large fir tree before the house glittered with +colored Christmas lights. + +If old Saint Nick had peeped into the dining room windows, he would have +seen a merry company standing round the dinner table, gay with the +crimson-berried holly and waxy mistletoe. At the head of the table stood +Dorothy, appropriately and becomingly dressed in ruby-red velvet. On her +right there was an empty place, and beyond it, old Doctor Winn, a +boutonniere of holly in the lapel of his dinner coat; Mr. Bolton, Bill's +father, was next down the table, and just beyond stood Ashton Sanborn. +Facing Dorothy at the other end, her father chatted with a bright-eyed +Gretchen, who had Bill on her right. Next to Bill came Doctor Winn's +ex-butler, John Tunbridge, looking none the worse for his part in the +mixup of the fatal night. Beyond Tunbridge stood Dorothy's Uncle +Michael, and then another empty chair. + +"Just a moment, Dorothy," said her father as she was about to sit down. +"We've a surprise for you." + +"Oh, are there more people coming?" She indicated the extra places to +her right and left. "I thought our party was as nearly complete as +possible. Of course it would have been swell if Janet and Howard could +have been with us." + +"Dum--dum--de dum!" hummed Bill, beating time with his hand like an +orchestra conductor. From the drawing room a piano crashed into the +opening chords of Wagner's beautiful wedding march. + +"Here Comes the Bride ..." sang the guests at table, and Dorothy's heart +skipped a beat. + +Through the curtained doorway, walked a blushing girl, leaning on the +arm of a tall young man. She wore a bridal gown of white satin, and her +smiling face, below the draped tulle veil, was the exact counterpart of +the astonished girl at the head of the table. + +"Janet! Howard!" Dorothy ran to them and was caught in her cousin's +arms. "Where under the sun did you come from? I thought you sailed for +South America last week!" + +"That," said Howard, grinning broadly, "is a surprise that Mr. Sanborn +sprang on us the day after we were married. He persuaded me to give up +the South American job and got me a much better one with Mr. Bolton." + +"Meet Mr. Howard Bright, the new manager of my Bridgeport plant," cried +Bill's father, and everyone clapped. + +"Why, that's marvelous!" exclaimed Dorothy. "It's only an hour's drive +over there from New Canaan. We'll be able to see a lot of each other, +Janet." + +Then Uncle Michael, looking very happy and proud, kissed his daughter +and led her to the chair between his place and Dorothy's. + +"Daddy gave me the wedding dress," whispered Janet. "It's a little bit +late for it, but he insisted." + +"You look simply darling," began her cousin, then stopped. Doctor Winn, +who had pushed in her chair, was addressing the company. + +"Ladies, and gentlemen," he said, "before we start on the Christmas +cheer which our little hostess and her father have so graciously +provided, I would like to propose a toast or two, and may I ask you to +stand again while you drink them with me?" He held up his glass of +golden cider. "First, let us drink long life and great happiness to our +charming bride, Mrs. Howard Bright, and her gallant husband!" + +The company drank the toast enthusiastically. Then Uncle Abe, the +Dixon's darkey butler, better known to some of Dorothy's friends as "Ol' +Man River," grinning from one black ear to the other, laid small leather +jewel cases before Janet and Howard. + +"Just a little Christmas gift, my children," explained Doctor Winn. + +"Oh, may we open them now?" asked Janet eagerly. + +"You most certainly may, my dear." + +They snapped open the lids and the company leaned forward to get a +better view of the contents. + +"I don't know how to thank you, Doctor Winn," began Howard, fingering +his handsome gold repeater and chain. + +"Nor I--why--my goodness! I never thought I'd have a string of real +pearls. They are simply too exquisite for words!" + +Doctor Winn laughed and held up a protesting hand. "I'm sure I'm glad +you like them, but guests are requested not to embarrass the speaker. +Now, I have another toast to propose; and this time we will drink a very +Merry Christmas, long life and great happiness to Miss Margaret Schmidt, +my new companion-housekeeper!" + +Gretchen was overwhelmed and blushed furiously. Uncle Abe placed another +jewel case before her, which she opened and found therein a pearl +necklace, the counterpart of Janet's. All she could do was to sit and +gaze at it with her wide open china-blue eyes. Mr. Dixon raised the +necklace, slipped it over the embarrassed girl's head, and nodded to the +old gentleman. + +Doctor Winn took the hint and turned the attention of the table guests +to himself. "Third and last, but not in any way the least," he said, "we +will drink to the heroine of the already famous case of the Double +Cousins. Ladies and gentlemen, I pledge you Dorothy Dixon--whose bravery +and loyalty to her country gained the nation's thanks through its +mouthpiece, our President in Washington this week. A very Merry +Christmas, my dear, long life and great happiness to you and to our +friend Professor, alias Winnite! By the way, where is the pup? I have a +little remembrance for him, too." + +"He's right here beside me, asleep in his basket, Doctor Winn." Dorothy +picked up the yawning pup and sat him on her lap. + +The old gentleman took a slightly larger morocco case out of his pocket, +this time, and laid it on the white cloth before her. With a smile of +thanks, she pressed the spring and disclosed, lying on a velvet pad, a +double string of gleaming pink pearls. She looked at him, speechless +with pleasure, then down again at the necklace. As she did so, she +started, for beneath the pearls lay an envelope. + +She picked it up and drew forth a paper--"Why! why, it's my copy of the +Winnite formula!" she cried. + +"The only existing copy, my dear, which I hereby present to your puppy." + +"But, Doctor Winn, I don't understand!" + +"My terms to the government were that Winnite should be used for +national defense alone," he said solemnly. "Washington would not agree. +Therefore I wish the formula destroyed." + +"Oh, what a darling you are!" Dorothy leaned over and kissed him. "But +let's not give it to Professor this time, please. The last one made him +horribly sick." + +She held the paper over a lighted candle and watched Winnite burn to +charred ash. "I certainly am the happiest girl in the world tonight--but +there is just one more toast I'd like to propose before we commence +dinner. Here's a long life and a Merry Christmas to Mr. and Mrs. Martin +Lawson--if it hadn't been for them, think of all the fun we'd have +missed!" + + THE END + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dorothy Dixon and the Double Cousin, by +Dorothy Wayne + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DOROTHY DIXON, DOUBLE COUSIN *** + +***** This file should be named 44670.txt or 44670.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/4/4/6/7/44670/ + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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